Smart-home hazard detector providing sensor-based device positioning guidance

ABSTRACT

A particular smart hazard detector may itself function as a guide during a process of installation of the same at an installation location. Additionally, the installation location of the particular smart hazard detector may play a central role in how various settings of the smart hazard detector are defined and adjusted over time.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Prov. App. Ser. No. 61/887,969,filed 7 Oct. 2013 and entitled USER-FRIENDLY DETECTION UNIT, that whichis hereby incorporated by reference for all intents and purposes. Thisapplication also claims priority to U.S. Prov. App. Ser. No. 61/887,963,filed 7 Oct. 2013 and entitled HAZARD DETECTION IN A SMART-SENSOREDHOME, that which is hereby incorporated by reference for all intents andpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to or towards systems, devices,methods, and related computer-program products for providinghazard-detection objectives. More particularly, the present disclosurerelates to a plurality of devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected hazard detection units or smart hazard detectors, suchas detectors that incorporate smoke detector features, carbon monoxidedetector features and, etc., that communicate with each other and/orwith a central server or a cloud-computing system to provide any of avariety of hazard-detection objectives that are useful in smart buildingand/or smart home environments.

BACKGROUND

Hazard detectors use sensors to detect substances in the air that may beharmful or that may indicate the development of a hazardous situation.For example, carbon monoxide (CO) and radon gas are substances that canbe harmful to humans and animals if exposed to high amounts. However,these substances are difficult to detect with the human senses becausethey are colorless, odorless, and tasteless. A hazard detector candetect the presence of these substances and prevent the harmful effectsof exposure by alarming to notify a user. In other instances, asubstance such as smoke, while not necessarily harmful in and of itself,can indicate the development of a hazardous situation, such as fire. Anearly alarm of the presence of such a substance can prevent thehazardous situation from developing or minimize the harmful effects ofthe situation. Interconnected hazard detectors include detectors thatare connected to a network, enabling communication between the detectorsor with a central control unit. This provides several advantages overstandalone detectors, including the ability to activate multiple alarmswhen a single detector is triggered. Hazard detectors may be certifiedunder standards defined by governing bodies and/or by companies thatperform safety testing, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Forexample, certain UL standards define thresholds for when smoke detectorsand CO detectors should sound an alarm. Certain UL standards also definethe required characteristics of the alarm, such as powering requirementsand the volume, pitch, and pattern of the alarming sound.

SUMMARY

In general, a particular smart hazard detector may itself function as aguide during a process of installation of the same at an installationlocation. Additionally, the installation location of the particularsmart hazard detector may play a central role in how various settings ofthe smart hazard detector are defined and adjusted over time.

In an aspect, a method for guiding installation of a hazard detector mayinclude or comprise receiving, by the hazard detector duringinstallation at a particular location within a residence, an inputcommand to test whether an instant placement of the hazard detectorwould prevent the hazard detector from operating within specification todetect and/or mitigate one or more hazards. The method may include orcomprise implementing, by the hazard detector in response to receivingthe input command, a test sequence to determine whether the instantplacement of the hazard detector would prevent the hazard detector fromoperating within specification to detect and/or mitigate one or morehazards. The method may include or comprise outputting, by the hazarddetector, a particular notification during installation at theparticular location when it is determined that the instant placement ofthe hazard detector would prevent the hazard detector from operatingwithin specification to detect and/or mitigate one or more hazards,based upon readings of at least one component of the hazard detector.

In an aspect, a hazard detector may include or comprise: at least onecomponent to test during installation of the hazard detector at aparticular location whether an instant placement of the hazard detectorwould prevent the hazard detector from operating within specification todetect and/or mitigate one or more hazards; and a processing system, inoperative communication with the at least one component, that:determines, based upon readings of the at least one component, whetheran instant placement of the hazard detector during installation thereofwould prevent the hazard detector from operating within specification todetect and/or mitigate one or more hazards; and when it is determinedthat the instant placement of the hazard detector would prevent thehazard detector from operating within specification to detect and/ormitigate one or more hazards, causes a notification alert to be outputto guide a user during installation of the hazard detector to a suitableinstallation location for the hazard detector.

In an aspect, a hazard detector may include or comprise: at least onediagnostic component; at least one output device; at least oneprocessor, operatively coupled to the at least one diagnostic componentand at least one output device; and a memory operatively coupled withand readable by the at least one processor, and having stored thereinprocessor-readable instructions that, when executed by the at least oneprocessor, cause the at least one processor to: receive, duringinstallation of the hazard detector at a particular location within aresidence, an input command to test whether an instant placement of thehazard detector would prevent the hazard detector from operating withinspecification to detect and/or mitigate one or more hazards; implement atest sequence to determine whether the instant placement of the hazarddetector would prevent the hazard detector from operating withinspecification to detect and/or mitigate one or more hazards; andgenerate a particular notification, for output by the at least oneoutput device, when it is determined that the instant placement of thehazard detector would prevent the hazard detector from operating withinspecification to detect and/or mitigate one or more hazards, based uponreadings of the at least one diagnostic component.

In an aspect, a hazard detector is presented. The hazard detector mayinclude means for receiving, during installation at a particularlocation within a residence, an input command to test whether an instantplacement of the hazard detector would prevent the hazard detector fromoperating within specification to detect and/or mitigate one or morehazards. The hazard detector may include means for implementing, inresponse to receiving the input command, a test sequence to determinewhether the instant placement of the hazard detector would prevent thehazard detector from operating within specification to detect and/ormitigate one or more hazards. The hazard detector may include means foroutputting a particular notification during installation at theparticular location when it is determined that the instant placement ofthe hazard detector would prevent the hazard detector from operatingwithin specification to detect and/or mitigate one or more hazards,based upon readings of at least one component of the hazard detector.

Other aspects are possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a first example method according to the disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an example smart home environment according to thedisclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an example extensible platform according to the disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows another example of the extensible platform of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a view of an example hazard detector according to thedisclosure.

FIG. 6 shows another view of the detector of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows views of an example circuit board of the detector of FIG.5.

FIG. 8 shows a second example method according to the disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows the detector of FIG. 5 in-box.

FIG. 10 shows the detector of FIG. 5 out-of-box.

FIG. 11 shows the detector of FIG. 5 in a first and second examplestate.

FIG. 12 shows a button of the detector of FIG. 5 being depressed.

FIG. 13 shows an example configuration step of the detector of FIG. 5.

FIG. 14 shows another example configuration step of the detector of FIG.5.

FIG. 15 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 16 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 17 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 18 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 19 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 20 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 21 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 22 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 23 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 24 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 25 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 26 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 27 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 28 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 29 shows yet another example configuration step of the detector ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 30 shows a third example method according to the disclosure.

FIG. 31 shows an example system that includes the detector of FIG. 5.

FIG. 32 shows an example computing environment according to thedisclosure.

FIG. 33 shows an example computing system or device according to thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure are related to intelligent,multi-sensing, network-connected hazard detection units, or smart hazarddetectors, that incorporate smoke detector features, carbon monoxidedetector features and, etc., and that communicate with each other and/orwith a central server or a cloud-computing system to provide any of avariety of hazard-detection objectives that are useful in smart buildingand/or smart home environments. More specifically, it is contemplatedthat a particular smart hazard detector may itself function as a guideduring a process of installation of the same at an installationlocation, and that the installation location of the particular smarthazard detector may play a central role in how various settings of thesmart hazard detector are defined and adjusted over time. Although notso limited, an appreciation of the various aspects of the presentdisclosure may gained in light of the following description inconnection with the drawings.

For instance, referring now to FIG. 1, a first example method 100 isshown in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Atstep 102, an input may be provided or supplied to a particular smarthazard detector, or a device or system communicatively coupled to orwith the smart hazard detector for example, that identifies aninstallation location within a residence of the smart hazard detector.An example of an installation location may include “Hallway” or “LivingRoom” or “Garage” of or within a particular residence for instance.Other examples are possible, as discussed in further detail below.Further, means for performing step 102 may generally include a smarthazard detector. More specifically, means for performing step 102 mayinclude one or more processing devices, such as processors, and astorage medium, such as to receive and process the input that identifiesthe installation location within the residence of the smart hazarddetector. Other examples are possible.

At step 104, a procedure may be implemented that may serve to advise aninstaller, for example, what features of the smart hazard detector arerecommended to be enabled and/or disabled based upon the installationlocation of the smart hazard detector. For example, if the installationlocation is “Garage,” it is contemplated that the smart hazard detector,and/or or the device or system communicatively coupled to the smarthazard detector, may via one or both of an audio and a visual cueindicate that “Carbon monoxide detection is not advised. Would you liketo disable my carbon monoxide detection capabilities.” Other examplesare possible, as discussed in further detail below. Further, means forperforming step 104 may generally include a smart hazard detector. Morespecifically, means for performing step 104 may include one or moreprocessing devices, such as processors, and a storage medium, such as toprovide a user-perceptible cue (e.g., audio, visual, tactile) as to whatfeatures of the smart hazard detector are recommended to be enabledand/or disabled based upon the installation location of the smart hazarddetector. Other examples are possible.

At step 106, a procedure may be implemented that may serve to define analarm condition for each detection-related enabled feature of the smarthazard detector (see step 104), based upon the installation location ofthe smart hazard detector. For example, if the installation location is“Garage,” it is contemplated that the smart hazard detector, and/or orthe device or system communicatively coupled to the smart hazarddetector, may query a table of predefined threshold settings and accessa particular alarm condition setting for carbon monoxide in a garage.The smart hazard detector may then be programmed to exhibit theparticular alarm condition setting. An example of a particular alarmcondition setting for carbon monoxide in a garage may include “detectedcarbon monoxide levels greater than or equal to 400 ppm after 5 minutesof monitoring.” Other examples are possible, as discussed in furtherdetail below. Further, means for performing step 106 may generallyinclude a smart hazard detector. More specifically, means for performingstep 106 may include one or more processing devices, such as processors,and a storage medium, such as to enable the smart hazard detector to beprogrammed to exhibit the particular alarm condition setting. Otherexamples are possible.

Next, at step 108, a procedure may be implemented to guide an installer,for example, to install the smart hazard detector at the installationlocation in manner so that the smart hazard detector may functionaccording to its intended purpose. For example, a particular buttonintegral to the smart hazard detector may be “pressed” to instantiate atest sequence in which the smart hazard detector transmits a signal viaultrasonic transducer to determine if the smart hazard detector ispositioned too close to a wall. An example scenario in which the smarthazard detector may determine that the same is too close to a wall maybe when the smart hazard detector determines that the wall is less thanor equal to 12 inches away. Other examples are possible, as discussed infurther detail below. Further, means for performing step 108 maygenerally include a smart hazard detector. More specifically, means forperforming step 108 may include one or more processing devices, such asprocessors, and a storage medium, such as to provide a user-perceptiblecue (e.g., audio, visual, tactile) as a guide to install the smarthazard detector. Other examples are possible.

At step 110, a procedure may be implemented to adjust an existing alarmcondition setting for each detection-related enabled feature of thesmart hazard detector (see step 106), based upon the installationlocation of the smart hazard detector. For example, a historical log ofdata as acquired by a particular sensor of the smart hazard detector maybe leveraged as part of an algorithm to enable the smart hazard detectorto self-adjust its own (pre)alarm condition settings. For instance,after a particular period of time of 1 month for example, a smart hazarddetector installed to “Garage” may adjust an existing pre-alarmcondition setting of “detected carbon monoxide levels greater than orequal to 400 ppm after 5 minutes of monitoring” to “detected carbonmonoxide levels greater than or equal to 400 ppm after 10 minutes ofmonitoring,” based upon an analysis of a historical log of data thatindicates frequent false carbon monoxide alarms in the garage. Otherexamples are possible, as discussed in further detail below. Further,means for performing step 110 may generally include a smart hazarddetector. More specifically, means for performing step 110 may includeone or more processing devices, such as processors, and a storagemedium, such as to enable the hazard detector to adjust an existingalarm condition setting for each detection-related enabled feature ofthe smart hazard detector. Other examples are possible.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example implementation of a particular smarthazard detector that may itself function as a guide during a process ofinstallation of the same at an installation location, and that theinstallation location of the particular smart hazard detector may play acentral role in how various settings of the smart hazard detector aredefined and adjusted over time. While discussed in the context ofpre-installation and post-installation of the smart hazard detector, oneor more of the steps of the method 100 may be performed or implementedat a time corresponding to one or both of pre-installation andpost-installation of the smart hazard detector. Further, none of thesteps of the method 100 need necessarily be performed or implemented,and/or performed or implemented in the particular order as shown anddescribed in connection with FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example smart home environment 200 according tothe present disclosure. The example environment 200 includes a structure202 that has a number of rooms 204 separated at least partly from eachother by walls 206 that may include or comprise of interior walls orexterior walls. Each of the rooms 204 may include a floor 208 and aceiling 210. Various smart devices configured and/or arranged inaccordance with the present disclosure may be mounted to, integratedwith, and/or supported by any particular feature of the structure 202,such as a particular wall 206, floor 208, ceiling 210, and etc.

In particular, as shown, the example environment 200 of FIG. 2 mayinclude a plurality of devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected devices, that seamlessly integrate with each otherand/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system to provide anyof a variety of useful smart home objectives, including hazard-detectionobjectives in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.For example, the environment 200 may include one or more intelligent,multi-sensing, network-connected thermostats 212, one or moreintelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected hazard detection units214, and one or more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connectedentryway interface devices or doorbells 216. In general, a particularsmart thermostat 212 may detect ambient climate characteristics, such astemperature and/or humidity, and control an HVAC (Heating, Ventilating,and Air Conditioning) system 218 accordingly, such as by turning ONand/or OFF a fan of the HVAC system 218.

When the fan of the HVAC system 218 is on, the fan operates to circulateair between the rooms 204 of the structure 202, and to exhaust air fromthe structure 202 and draw fresh, outside air into the structure 202. Incontrast, a particular hazard detector 214 may detect the presence of ahazardous condition or a substance indicative of a hazardous condition,such as smoke, fire, heat, carbon monoxide, and etc. It will beappreciated that the smart devices of the example environment 200 maynot only be integrated into the structure 202 itself. For example, aparticular hazard detector 214 may be installed to a garage 220 that isseparate from the structure 202 itself. Still may other examples arepossible.

As shown, the example environment 200 further includes one or moreintelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected wall switches 222, alongwith one or more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected wall pluginterfaces 224. In general, a particular smart wall switch 222 maydetect ambient lighting conditions, detect room-occupancy states,control a power and/or dim state of one or more lights, and etc. In someexamples, a particular instance of a smart wall switch 222 may alsocontrol a power state or speed of a fan, such as a ceiling fan. Ingeneral, a particular smart wall plug interface 224 may detect occupancyof a room or enclosure and control supply of power to one or more wallplugs so that power is not supplied to a plug if nobody is home or in aparticular room for example.

As shown, the example environment 200 further includes a plurality ofintelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected appliances 226, such asrefrigerators, stoves and/or ovens, televisions, washers, dryers,lights, stereos, intercom systems, garage-door openers, floor fans,ceiling fans, wall air conditioners, pool heaters, irrigation systems,security systems, and so forth. Each of the appliances 226 arecontemplated as being compatible with other elements of the exampleenvironment 200 by cooperating with the respective manufacturers of theappliances. For example, the appliances can be space heaters, window airconditioning units, motorized duct vents, etc. When plugged in, aparticular appliance 226 may announce itself to the smart home networkof FIG. 2, such as by indicating what type of appliance it is, and itcan automatically integrate with the controls of the smart home. Suchcommunication may be facilitated by any particular wired or wirelesscommunication protocols that which may or may not beimplementation-specific.

The example environment 200 may further include a variety ofnon-communicating legacy appliances 228, such as old conventionalwasher/dryers, refrigerators, and the like which can be controlled, suchas ON/OFF, by virtue of the smart wall plug interfaces 224. The exampleenvironment 200 can further include a variety of other devices, systems,and appliances 229, such as IR (Infrared) controlled wall airconditioners or other IR-controlled devices, which can be controlled byIR signals provided by the hazard detectors 214 or the smart wallswitches 222. Still many other types of smart devices may be incorporateinto the example environment 200, and such devices and correspondingtechnology of the same may evolve as technology evolves.

By virtue of network connectivity, one or more of the smart home devicesof FIG. 2 may further allow a user to interact with the device even ifthe user is not proximate to the device. For example, a user cancommunicate with a device using a computer such as a desktop computer,laptop computer, tablet, etc., or other portable electronic device suchas a smartphone 230. A webpage or app can be configured to receivecommunications from the user and control the device based on thecommunications and/or to present information about the device'soperation to the user. For example, the user can view a currentset-point temperature for a device and adjust it using a computer. Theuser can be in the structure during this remote communication or outsidethe structure.

As discussed, users can control the smart thermostat and other smartdevices in the example environment 200 using a network-connectedpersonal computer or portable, mobile device 230. In some examples, someor all of the occupants who live in the home, for instance, may registerany particular mobile device 230 with the example environment 200. Suchregistration may be perfected at a central server to authenticate theoccupant and/or the device as being associated with the home, and togive permission to the occupant to use the device to control the smartdevices in the home. Further, an occupant can use their mobile device230 when registered for example to remotely control the smart devices ofthe home, such as when the occupant is at work or on vacation, etc. Theoccupant may also use their mobile device 230 when registered forexample to control the smart devices when the occupant is actuallylocated inside the home, such as when the occupant is sitting on a couchinside the home. Instead of or in addition to registering devices, oneor more components of the example environment 200 may be configuredand/or arraigned to make inferences about which individuals live in thehome and are therefore occupants and which devices are associated withthose individuals. As such, the example environment 200 in general maylearn or derive or infer who is an occupant and permit devicesassociated with such individuals to control the smart devices in theexample environment 200.

In some examples, in addition to containing processing and sensingcapabilities, it is contemplated that each of the smart devices in theexample environment 200 may be capable of data communications andinformation sharing with any other of the smart devices, as well as toany central server or cloud-computing system or any other device that isnetwork-connected anywhere in the world. The required datacommunications can be carried out using any of a variety of custom orstandard wireless protocols, such as WiFi, ZigBee®, or 6LoWPAN forexample, and/or any of a variety of custom or standard wired protocols,such as CAT6 Ethernet, or HomePlug® for examples

According to examples, all or some of the smart devices in the exampleenvironment 200 may serve as wireless or wired repeaters. For example, afirst one of the smart devices can communicate with a second one of thesmart device via a wireless router 232. The smart devices can furthercommunicate with each other via a connection to a network 234, such asthe Internet. Through the Internet, the smart devices may communicatewith a central server(s) or a cloud-computing system(s) 236, hereinaftersystem 236. The system 236 may be associated with a manufacturer,support entity, service provider associated with the device, etc. In oneexample, a user may be able to contact customer support using a deviceitself rather than needing to use other communication means such as atelephone or Internet-connected computer. Further, software updates maybe automatically sent from the system 236 to the smart devices in theexample environment 200 such as when available, purchased, at routineintervals, and etc.

According to examples, the smart devices in the example environment 200may communicate or combine to create an ad-hoc mesh network of“spokesman” and “low-power” nodes, where some of the smart devices arespokesman nodes and others are low-powered nodes. Here, it iscontemplated that some of the smart devices in the example environment200 may generally be battery powered, while others may have access to aregular and reliable power source, such as by connecting to line-voltagewires behind or within the walls 206 of the structure 202. The smartdevices that have a regular and reliable power source may be referred toas spokesman nodes. These nodes are equipped with the capability ofusing any wireless protocol or manner to facilitate bidirectionalcommunication with any of a variety of other devices in the exampleenvironment 200, as well as with the system 236. On the other hand, thedevices that are battery-powered may be referred to as low-power nodes.These nodes tend to be smaller than spokesman nodes and may onlycommunicate using wireless protocols that requires very little power,such as Zigbee®, 6LoWPAN, and etc. Further, some, but not all, low-powernodes may be incapable of bidirectional communication. These nodes maysend messages, but may be are unable to listen.

As described, the smart devices serve as low-power and spokesman nodesto create a mesh network in the example environment 200. Individuallow-power nodes in the smart home environment may regularly broadcastmessages regarding what they are sensing and the other, low-powerednodes in the smart home environment, in addition to sending out theirown messages, may repeat the messages, thereby causing the messages tobe transferred from node to node or device to device throughout theexample environment 200. The spokesman nodes in the example environment200 may be able to drop down to low-powered communication protocols toreceive these messages, translate the messages to other communicationprotocols, and send the translated messages to other spokesman nodesand/or the system 236. Thus, the low-powered nodes using low-powercommunication protocols may send messages across the entire exampleenvironment 200 as well as over the network 234 to the system 236.According to examples, the mesh network enables the system 236 toregularly receive data from all of the smart devices in the home, makeinferences based on the data, and send commands back to one or more ofthe smart devices to accomplish some of the smart home objectives asdiscussed throughout.

As described, the spokesman nodes and some of the low-powered nodes arecapable of listening. Accordingly, users, other devices, and the system236 may communicate controls to the low-powered nodes. For example, auser may use the mobile device 230 to send commands over the network 234to the system 236, which then may relay commands to the spokesman nodesin the example environment 200. The spokesman nodes may drop-down to alow-power protocol to communicate the commands to the low-power nodesthroughout the example environment 200, as well as to other spokesmannodes that did not receive the commands directly from the system 236.

An example of a low-power node is a particular hazard detector 214.Other examples of low-powered nodes include battery-powered versions ofa hazard detector 214. Such hazard detectors 214 may in some instancesbe located in an area without access to a constant and reliable powersource, and may include any number and type of sensors, such assmoke/fire/heat sensors, carbon monoxide/dioxide sensors,occupancy/motion sensors, ambient light sensors, temperature sensors,humidity sensors, and the like. Furthermore, hazard detectors 214 maysend messages to other smart devices, sensors, etc., within the exampleenvironment 200, as well as the system 236, such as via ad-hoc meshnetwork techniques as contemplated above.

Examples of spokesman nodes include smart doorbells 216, smartthermostats 212, wired versions of hazard detectors 214, smart wallswitches 222, and smart wall plugs interfaces 224. These devices may belocated near and connected to a reliable power source, and thereforemight include more power-consuming components, such as one or morecommunication chips capable of bidirectional communication in anyvariety of protocols. In some examples, the low-powered and spokesmannodes of the example environment 200 may function as alarm broadcastersfor a hazard-detection system in the example environment 200. Forexample, in the event a particular hazard detector 214 detects ahazardous condition, such dangerous amounts of smoke or carbon monoxide,that hazard detector 214 may send an alarm message to the system 236,which may then instruct other smart devices in the example environment200 to instantiate an alarm, alerting occupants or other individual toor of the dangerous condition. Thus, the hazard-detection system couldbe enhanced by various low-powered and spokesman nodes locatedthroughout the example environment 200, all capable of providingaudible, visual. In this example, a user could enhance the safety of theexample environment 200 by purchasing and installing extra smart devicescapable of alerting occupant to dangerous conditions.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a network-level view of an extensible devicesand services platform 300 is shown with which a plurality of smart homeenvironments, such as the example environment 200 of FIG. 2, may beintegrated. In this example, the platform 300 is shown to includevarious remote servers or cloud computing architectures. As mentionedabove, it is contemplated that each of the intelligent,network-connected smart devices of FIG. 2 may regularly communicate withthe remote servers or cloud computing architectures. For example, aconnection to the network 234 may be established either directly, forexample via 3G/4G connectivity to a wireless carrier, through a hubnetwork 302 (see also hub 223 of FIG. 2 example) which may be a schemeor implementation ranging from a simple wireless router, for example, upto and including an intelligent, dedicated whole-home control node,and/or through any combination thereof

Although in some examples provided herein, elements of the exampleplatform 300 may communicate with and collect data from various smartdevices of the example environment 200 of FIG. 2, it is furthercontemplated that one or more elements of the example platform 300 maycommunicate with and collect data from a plurality of smart homeenvironments across the world. For example, the system 236 (see alsoFIG. 2) may collect particular home data 304 from devices of one or moresmart home environments, where the devices may routinely or regularlysuch as periodically or at least intermittently transmit home data or inresponse to a particular command to do so. Thus, various elements of theexample platform 300 may routinely collect data from homes across theworld. In general, the home data 304 may include, for example, powerconsumption data, occupancy data, HVAC settings and usage data, carbonmonoxide levels data, carbon dioxide levels data, volatile organiccompounds levels data, sleeping schedule data, cooking schedule data,inside and outside temperature humidity data, television viewershipdata, inside and outside noise level data, and so on and so forth inwhich the type of home data 304 as collected is only limited by type orform of smart devices as incorporated into a particular environment,such as the example environment 200 of FIG. 2.

According to examples, smart devices may increase their loggingfrequency as they approach a threshold. For example, a particular hazarddetector 214 may increases the frequency at which it samples air andsends corresponding data to the system 236 as the condition in the homeapproaches an alarm condition. For example, upon detecting more than athreshold level of smoke, a particular hazard detector 214 may samplesair at a higher rate and send corresponding data to the system 236. Inanother example, a particular hazard detector 214 may increases thefrequency it samples air for CO upon detecting a threshold levelincrease in the amount of CO in the home. Further, for example, aparticular hazard detector 214 may increase logging and samplingfrequency during transitions. For example, upon detecting increasedlevels of noise, light, etc., in a particular location, a particularhazard detector 214 may switch into a listening state where its PIR(Passive Infrared Senor), ultrasonic and other sensors, etc., and sampleand log, and possibly send to the system 236, at an increased rate orfrequency. The increased levels of noise, light, etc., in the locationmay indicate the presence of humans in the room, and thereby indicatesthat there may be data worth observing in the room.

For example, it may be desirable that the smart devices be quiet most ofthe time so as to reduce chatter on the network, e.g., to reducefrequent updates at the system 236. Thus, if no one is in the room, asmart device may be configured to sample once a minute or once an hour.However, if the smart device senses a transition indicating that aperson is in the room, then it will sample more often. For example, whenthe room is occupied, the smart device may send to the system 236temperature data, occupancy data, etc. The server stores this data inhome data 304 and runs trend detecting algorithms against the data. Forexample, the home data 304 may include logs and maps of user in-homemovements from room to room, time spent in each room, intra-homeoccupancy/density maps, etc. In some examples, the home data 304 may bestored to a persistent memory location of a particular hazard detector214 itself.

According to examples, the home data 304 may be made available to,and/or to smart devices themselves, so users so that they can review alog of historical events in the home. For example, end-users may reviewhistorical CO, smoke, temperature, etc., levels of the various rooms ofthe home. For instance, an example historical log may indicate orinclude data such as: pre-alarm smoke level detected at 10:14 AM; smokealarm level at 10:26 AM; alarm hushed at 10:31 AM; and smoke diminished“everything okay” at 10:50 AM. This may enable the user to see that analarm condition occurred in the home and how it was resolved. Thehistorical log may also include a history of self-checks executed by aparticular smart device. For example, the historical log may show ahistory of time the hazard detectors 214 have tested their CO sensors.An example self-check log may indicate that all hazard detectors in thehome self-checked between 1 AM and 2 AM, and they are all workingproperly, including their WiFi connection is of sufficient strength,their battery level is acceptable, their CO sensor is working properly,and etc. Still further, a historical log may be leveraged as part of analgorithm to enable a hazard detector 214 to self-adjust its ownsettings, such as particular threshold level settings for example. Stillmany other examples are possible and it will be appreciated that suchhistorical data may be mined, manipulated, and leveraged to implementmany of the various features and/or aspects contemplated within thepresent disclosure.

Referring still to the system 236, it is contemplated that the system236 may further provide one or more services 306. The services 306 mayinclude, for example, software updates, customer support, sensor datacollection/logging, remote access, remote or distributed control, or usesuggestions such as based on home data 304 as collected and/oraggregated to improve performance, reduce utility cost, and etc. Dataassociated with the services 306 may be stored at the example system236, and the system 236 may retrieve and transmit the data at anappropriate time such as at regular intervals, upon receiving a requestfrom a user, and etc.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the example platform 300 may further include aprocessing engine 308, which may be concentrated at a single server ordistributed among several different computing entities, withoutlimitation. The processing engine 308 may include a number of enginesconfigured and/or arranged to receive data from devices of smart homeenvironments, possibly via the network 234 and/or the hub network 302,to index the data, analyze the data, and/or to generate statistics basedon the analysis or as part of the analysis. The analyzed data may insome examples be stored as derived home data 310. Results of theanalysis or statistics may thereafter be transmitted back to the devicethat provided home data used to derive the results, to other devices, toa server providing a webpage to a user of the device, or to othernon-device entities. For example, use statistics, use statisticsrelative to use of other devices, use patterns, and/or statisticssummarizing sensor readings may be generated by the processing engine308 and transmitted. The results or statistics may be provided via thenetwork 234. In this manner, the processing engine 308 may be configuredand programmed to derive a variety of useful information from the homedata 304. A single server can include one or more engines. Still otherexamples are possible.

The derived data can be highly beneficial at a variety of differentgranularities for a variety of useful purposes, ranging from explicitprogrammed control of the devices on a per-home, per-neighborhood, orper-region basis for example, demand-response programs for electricalutilities, to the generation of inferential abstractions that can assiston a per-home basis, for example, an inference can be drawn that thehomeowner has left for vacation and so security detection equipment canbe put on heightened sensitivity, to the generation of statistics andassociated inferential abstractions that can be used for government orcharitable purposes. For example, processing engine 308 may generatestatistics about device usage across a population of devices and sendthe statistics to device users, service providers or other entities forexample that have requested or may have provided monetary compensationfor the statistics.

In some examples, to encourage innovation and research and to increaseproducts and services available to users, the example platform 300 mayexpose a range of API's (Application Programming Interface) 312 to thirdparties, such as charities 314, governmental entities 316, such as theFood and Drug Administration or the Environmental Protection Agency,academic institutions 318, such as university researchers, businesses320, such as for providing device warranties or service to relatedequipment, targeting advertisements based on home data, utilitycompanies 322, and various other third parties. In general, the APIs 312may be coupled to and permit third-party systems to communicate with theexample system 236, including the services 306, the processing engine308, the home data 304, and the derived home data 310. For example, theAPIs 312 may allow applications executed by the third parties toinitiate specific data processing tasks that are executed by the system236, as well as to receive dynamic updates to the home data 304 and thederived home data 310.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an abstracted functional view of the exampleplatform 300 of FIG. 3 is shown, with particular reference to theprocessing engine 308, as well as other elements or devices such asshown and described above in connection with FIG. 2. Even though devicessituated in smart home environments will have an endless variety ofdifferent individual capabilities, they can all be thought of as sharingcommon characteristics in that each of them is a DC (Data Consumer) 402,a DS (Data Source) 404, a SC (Services Consumer) 406, and a SS (ServicesSource) 408. Advantageously, in addition to providing controlinformation needed for the devices to achieve their local and immediateobjectives, elements of the example platform 300 may also be configuredto harness the large amount of data that is flowing out of thesedevices. In addition to enhancing or optimizing the actual operation ofthe devices themselves with respect to their immediate functions,elements of the example platform 300 may be directed to “repurposing”that data in a variety of automated, extensible, flexible, and/orscalable ways to achieve a variety of useful objectives. Theseobjectives may be predefined or adaptively identified based on, e.g.,usage patterns, device efficiency, and/or user-input, e.g., requestingspecific functionality.

For example, the processing engine 308 of FIG. 4 is shown to include anumber of paradigms 410. For example, the processing engine 308 mayinclude a managed services paradigm 410 a that monitors and managesprimary or secondary smart device functions. The device functions mayinclude ensuring proper operation of a device given user-inputs,estimating that an intruder is or is attempting to be in a dwelling,detecting a failure of equipment coupled to the device, implementing orotherwise responding to energy demand response events, or alerting auser of a current or predicted future event or characteristic. Theprocessing engine 308 may further include an advertising/communicationparadigm 410 b that estimates characteristics such as demographicinformation, desires and/or products of interest of a user based ondevice usage. Services, promotions, products or upgrades can then beoffered or automatically provided to the user. The processing engine 308may further include a social paradigm 410 c that uses information from asocial network, provides information to a social network for examplebased on device usage, and/or processes data associated with user and/ordevice interactions with the social network platform.

The processing engine 308 may include achallenges/rules/compliance/rewards paradigm 410 d that informs a userof challenges, competitions, rules, compliance regulations and/orrewards and/or that uses operation data to determine whether a challengehas been met, a rule or regulation has been complied with and/or areward has been earned. The challenges, rules or regulations can relateto efforts to conserve energy, to live safely by reducing exposure totoxins or carcinogens for example, to conserve money and/or equipmentlife, to improve health, etc. For example, one challenge may involveparticipants turning down their thermostat by one degree for one week.Those that successfully complete the challenge are rewarded, such as bycoupons, virtual currency, status, etc. Regarding compliance, an exampleinvolves a rental-property owner making a rule that no renters arepermitted to access certain owner's rooms. The devices in the roomhaving occupancy sensors could send updates to the owner when the roomis accessed.

In accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, theprocessing engine 308 may further integrate or otherwise utilizeextrinsic information 412 from extrinsic sources to improve thefunctioning of one or more processing paradigms. Extrinsic information412 can be used to interpret data received from a device, to determine acharacteristic of the environment near the device such as weatheroutside a structure that the device is enclosed in, to determineservices or products available to the user, to identify a social networkor social-network information, to determine contact information ofentities, e.g., public-service entities such as an emergency-responseteam, the police or a hospital, near the device, etc., to identifystatistical or environmental conditions, trends or other informationassociated with a home or neighborhood or region such as a county, town,city, state, and so forth.

Referring now to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, an example smart hazard detector 500that may be incorporated into the example environment 200 of FIG. 2 isshown in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.Another view of the example hazard detector 500 is shown below inconnection with at least FIG. 31. In one example, the hazard detector500 corresponds to the hazard detector 214 described in other sectionsof this disclosure, such as in connection with FIG. 2. FIG. 5illustrates an exploded perspective view of the hazard detector 500,while FIG. 6 illustrates an assembled view of the same hazard detector500. In an example, the hazard detector 500 is a smoke detector that isconfigured to detect the presence of smoke and sound an alarm to audiblywarn an occupant or occupants of the home or structure of a potentialfire or other danger. In other examples, the hazard detector 500 may bea carbon monoxide detector, heat detector, and the like. In otherexamples, the hazard detector 500 may be a multi-sensing detector thatincludes a smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, heat detector,motion detector, and the like. Many of the present teachings areparticularly advantageous for examples in which the hazard detector 500is a multi-sensing detector, particularly since combining the varioussensing modes together into a single device can pose substantialchallenges with respect to one or more of device compactness, componentpowering, and overall component governance and coordination.

In one example implementation, the hazard detector 500 is a roughlysquare or rectangular shaped object having a width of approximately 120mm to 134 mm and a thickness of approximately 38 mm. Stated differently,hazard detector 500 is a multi-sensing unit having a fairly compactshape and size that may be easily attached to a wall or ceiling of ahome or structure so as to be able, among other functionalities, todetect the presence of smoke and alert an occupant therein of thepotential fire danger. As shown in FIG. 5, the hazard detector 500includes a mounting plate 502 that may be attached to a wall of thebuilding or structure to secure the hazard detector 500 thereto. Thehazard detector 500 also includes a back plate 504 that may be mountedto the mounting plate 502 and a front casing 506 that may be coupledwith or otherwise secured to the back plate 504 to define a housinghaving an interior region within which components of the hazard detector500 are contained.

A circuit board 508 may be coupled with or attached to the back plate504. Various components may be mounted on the circuit board 508. Forexample, a smoke chamber 510 may be coupled with or mounted on thecircuit board 508 to detect the presence of smoke. In one example, thesmoke chamber 510 may be mid-mounted relative to the circuit board 508so that air may flow into the smoke chamber 510 from a position abovethe circuit board 508 and the below circuit board 508. A speaker 512and/or alarm device, the alarm device may be a separate component fromthe speaker 512, may also be mounted on the circuit board 508 to audiblywarn, for example, an occupant of a potential fire danger when thepresence of smoke is detected via the smoke chamber 510. Othercomponents, such as a motion sensor, e.g., ultrasonic, passive IR, etc.,CO sensor, temperature sensor, heat sensor, ambient light sensor, noisesensor, microprocessor, and the like, may further be mounted on thecircuit board 508 possibly accordingly to implementation-specificrequirements.

In one example, a protective plate 514 may be attached to or otherwisecoupled with the circuit board 508 to provide a visually pleasingappearance to the inner components of hazard detector 500 and/or tofunnel or direct airflow to the smoke chamber 510. For example, when theinternal components of the hazard detector 500 are viewed, such asthrough vents in the back plate 504, the protective plate 514 mayprovide the appearance of a relatively smooth surface and otherwise hideor obscure the components or circuitry of the circuit board 508. Theprotective plate 514 may likewise function to direct a flow of air fromthe vents of the back plate 504 toward the smoke chamber 510 tofacilitate air flow into and out of the smoke chamber 510.

The hazard detector 500 may also include a battery pack 516 thatprovides power to the various components of hazard detector 500 when thehazard detector 500 is not coupled with an external power source, suchas a 120 V power source. A cover plate 518 may be coupled with the frontcasing 506 to provide a visually pleasing appearance to hazard detector214 and/or for other functional purposes. In a specific example, thecover plate 518 may include a plurality of holes or openings that allowone or more sensors coupled with the circuit board 508 to view or seethrough a surface of cover plate 518 so as to sense objects external tothe hazard detector 500. The plurality of openings of the cover plate518 may be arranged to provide a visually pleasing appearance whenviewed by occupants of the home or structure. In one example, theplurality of openings of the cover plate 518 may be arranged accordingto a repeating pattern, such as a Fibonacci or other sequence. Stillother examples are possible.

A lens button 520 may be coupled with or otherwise mounted to the coverplate 518. The lens button 520 may allow one or more sensors to viewthrough the lens button 520 for various purposes. For instance, in oneexample a PIR sensor may be positioned behind the lens button 520 andconfigured to view through the lens button 520 to detect the presence ofan occupant or occupants within the home or structure. In some examples,the lens button 520 may also function as a button that is depressible bya user to input various commands to the hazard detector 500, such as toshut-off an alarm that is triggered in response to a false or otherwiseharmless condition. Positioned distally behind the lens button 520 maybe a light ring 522 that receives light, such as from an LED (LightEmitting Diode) or another light emitting element, and disperse thelight within the light ring 522 to provide a desired visual appearanceor cue, such as a halo behind the lens button 520. Positioned distallybehind the light ring 522 may be a flexible circuit board 524 thatincludes one or more electrical components, such as a PIR sensor, LEDs,and the like. The flexible circuit board or flexible ring 524 may beelectrically coupled with the circuit board 508 to communicate and/orreceive instructions from one or more microprocessors mounted on acircuit board during operation of hazard detector 500.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 6, the hazard detector 500 of FIG. 5is shown in an assembled state. Specifically, the mounting plate 502,front casing 506, back plate 504, and cover plate 518 are in anassembled configuration with the various other components containedwithin an interior space of hazard detector 500. FIG. 6 also shows theplurality of holes or openings of cover plate 518 forming anaesthetically-pleasing design, and the lens button 520 is shown attachedto the hazard detector 500 so as to be centrally positioned with respectto the cover plate 518. As briefly described above, the light ring 522may be used to provide a halo appearance of light around and behind lensbutton 520. The hazard detector 500 when assembled provides a compactyet robust and multifunctional device.

Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrated are front and rear perspectiveviews of the circuit board 508 of FIG. 5. In this example, the circuitboard 508 includes a main body 702 having a front side or surface and arear side or surface. Various electrical components may be mounted oncircuit board 508, and type and form of such components may or may notbe implementation-specific, and may evolve as technology evolves. Insome examples, these components may be mounted on the front surface ofcircuit board 508, on the rear surface of circuit board 508 opposite thefront surface, or on both surfaces of the circuit board 508. Forinstance, in a specific example one or more microprocessors and/or otherprocessor related components may be mounted on the rear surface ofcircuit board 508 facing the protective plate 514 while one or morefunctional components such as alarm device, CO detector, speaker, motionsensors, WiFi device, Zigbee® device, and the like, are mounted on afront surface of circuit board 508 facing a room of the home orstructure in which the hazard detector 500 is positioned. Othercomponents may be mid-mounted relative to the circuit board 508 so thatopposing surfaces are positioned on opposing sides of the circuit board508 as described herein.

In a specific example the front surface of circuit board 508 may includea CO detector 704 that detects the presence of carbon monoxide gas andtriggers an alarm device 706 if the CO gas levels are determined to betoo high. The alarm device 706, which can be a piezoelectric buzzerhaving an intentionally shrill or jarring sound, may likewise be mountedon the front surface of the circuit board 508 so as to face an occupantof the room in which the hazard detector 500 is positioned to alarm theoccupant of a potential danger. The alarm device 706 may produce one ormore sounds or signals to alert the occupant of the potential danger.

The front surface may further include an area 708 in which the speaker512 is positioned. The speaker 512 provide audible warnings or messagesto the occupant of the room. For example, the speaker 512 may alert theoccupant of a potential danger and instruct the occupant to exit theroom. In some examples, the speaker 512 may provide specificinstructions to the occupant, such as to guide installation of thehazard detector 500. Other messages may likewise be communicated to theoccupant, such as to alert the occupant that the batteries are low, thatCO levels are relatively high in the room, that the hazard detector 500needs periodic cleaning, or alert the occupant of any otherabnormalities or issues related to the hazard detector 500 or componentsthereof.

The circuit board 508 may also include one or more motion sensorsmounted on the front surface thereof. The motion sensors may be used todetermine the presence of an individual within a room or surroundingarea of the hazard detector 500. This information may be used to changethe functionality of the hazard detector 500 and/or one or more otherdevices connected in a common network as described previously. Forexample, this information may be relayed to a smart thermostat to informthe thermostat that occupants of the home or structure are present sothat the smart thermostat may condition the home or structure accordingto one or more learned or programmed settings. The hazard detector 500may likewise use this information for one or more purposes, such as toquiet the alarm device, such as via a gesture hush, or for various otherreasons.

In one example, a first ultrasonic sensor 710 and a second ultrasonicsensor 714 may be mounted on the front surface of circuit board 508. Thetwo ultrasonic sensors, 710 and 714, may be offset axially so as topoint in slightly different directions. In this orientation, eachultrasonic sensor may be used to detect the motion of an individualbased on an orientation of the hazard detector 500 relative to the roomand/or occupant, and determine distance from the hazard detector 500 andone or walls or surface near or adjacent the hazard detector 500.Detecting the motion of the individual may be used to quiet the alarmdevice as described herein or for any other reason. In one example, anaxis of the first ultrasonic sensor 710 may be oriented substantiallyoutward relative to hazard detector 500 while an axis of the secondultrasonic sensor 714 is oriented at an angle relative to the axis offirst ultrasonic sensor 710. The first ultrasonic sensor 710 may sensemotion of an individual when the hazard detector 500 is mounted on aceiling of the home or structure.

Because the first ultrasonic sensor 710 is oriented substantiallyoutward relative to hazard detector 214, the first ultrasonic sensor 710essentially looks straight down on individuals beneath hazard detector500 when the same is installed to a ceiling for example. The secondultrasonic sensor 714 may similarly sense motion of the individual whenthe hazard detector 500 is mounted on a wall of the home or structure.Because the second ultrasonic sensor 714 is oriented at an anglerelative to the first ultrasonic sensor 710 and hazard detector 500, thesecond ultrasonic sensor essentially looks downward toward the floorwhen the hazard detector 500 is mounted on a wall of the home orstructure, rather than looking directly outward as first ultrasonicsensor 710. In one example, the angular offset of the two ultrasonicsensors may be approximately 30° or any other desired value. Otherexamples are possible, and may vary depending on intended use. Forexample, a different configuration may be leveraged in scenarios inwhich the two ultrasonic sensors, 710 and 714 are further, oralternatively, or additionally, intended to assist in installation ofthe hazard detector 500.

For instance, in another example, the two ultrasonic sensors, 710 and714, may be replaced by a single ultrasonic sensor that is configured torotate within hazard detector 500 so that the single ultrasonic sensoris capable of looking straight outward similar to first ultrasonicsensor 710 or capable of looking downward similar to second ultrasonicsensor 714. The single ultrasonic sensor may be coupled to circuit board508 via a hinge that allows the ultrasonic sensor to rotate based on theorientation of hazard detector 500. For example, when the hazarddetector 500 is mounted to a ceiling of the home or structure, gravitymay orient the ultrasonic sensor so as to look straight downward;whereas when hazard detector 500 is coupled to a wall of the home orstructure, gravity may cause the ultrasonic sensor to rotate via thehinge and look downward toward a floor and relative to hazard detector500. In another example, a motor may be coupled with the singleultrasonic sensor so as to rotate the ultrasonic sensor based on theorientation of the hazard detector 500. In this manner, the ultrasonicsensor may always point in a direction that is likely to detect motionof an individual within the room or space surrounding the hazarddetector 500. In yet another example, the single ultrasonic sensor mayhave a wide field of view that is able to substantially accommodate bothmounting positions of the two ultrasonic sensors 710 and 714.

As shown in FIG. 7, the main body 702 of the circuit board 508 alsoincludes a substantially centrally located aperture 716 through whichthe smoke chamber 510 may be inserted so as to mid-mount the smokechamber 510 relative to the circuit board 508. The aperture 716 may alsoinclude a pair of notches 718 through which wires are inserted toelectrically couple the smoke chamber 510 with the circuit board 508.Mid-mounting of the smoke chamber 510 through an aperture 716 may allowsmoke and air to enter the smoke chamber 510 from both the front surfaceor side of the circuit board 508 and the rear surface or side of circuitboard 508. Included on the circuit board 508 may be several othercomponents, including a system processor, relatively high-power wirelesscommunications circuitry and antenna, relatively low-power wirelesscommunications circuitry and antenna, non-volatile memory, speaker 512,one or more interface sensors, a safety processor, safety sensors, alarmdevice 706, a power source, and powering circuitry.

The components are operative to provide failsafe safety detectionfeatures and user interface features using circuit topology and powerbudgeting methods that minimize power consumption. According to oneexample, a bifurcated or hybrid processor circuit topology orarchitecture is used for handling the various features of the hazarddetector 500, wherein the safety processor is a relatively small,relatively lean or thin processor that is dedicated to core safetysensor governance and core alarming functionality as would be providedon a conventional smoke/CO alarm, and wherein the system processor is arelatively larger, relatively higher-powered processor that is dedicatedto more advanced features such as cloud communications, user interfacefeatures, occupancy and other advanced environmental tracking features,and more generally any other task that would not be considered a “core”or “conventional” safety sensing and alarming task.

By way of example, the safety processor may be a Freescale KL15microcontroller, while the system processor may be a Freescale K60microcontroller. The safety processor may be programmed such that it iscapable of operating and performing its core safety-related dutiesregardless of the status or state of the system processor. Thus, forexample, even if the system processor is not available or is otherwiseincapable of performing any functions, the safety processor willcontinue to perform its core safety-related tasks such that the hazarddetector 500 still meets all industry and/or government safety standardsthat are required for the smoke, CO, and/or other safety-relatedmonitoring for which the hazard detector 500 is offered.

The system processor, on the other hand, performs what might be calledoptional or advanced functions that are overlaid onto the functionalityof the safety processor, where optional or advanced may refer to tasksthat are not specifically required for compliance with industry and/orgovernmental safety standards. Thus, although the system processor isdesigned to interoperate with the safety processor in a manner that canimprove the overall performance, feature set, and/or functionality ofthe hazard detector 500, its operation is not required in order for thehazard detector 500 to meet core safety-related industry and/orgovernment safety standards. Being generally a larger and more capableprocessor than the safety processor, the system processor will generallyconsume more power than the safety processor when both are active.

Similarly, when both processors are inactive, the system processor willstill consume more power than the safety processor. The system processorcan be operative to process user interface features and monitorinterface sensors, such as occupancy sensors, audio sensors, cameras,for example, which may not be directly related to core safety sensing).For example, the system processor may direct wireless data traffic onboth high and low power wireless communications circuitry, accessnon-volatile memory, communicate with the safety processor, and causeaudio to be emitted from the speaker 512. As another example, the systemprocessor may monitor interface sensors to determine whether any actionsneed to be taken, for example to shut off an active alarm in response toa user detected action to “hush” the alarm.

The safety processor may be operative to handle core safety relatedtasks of the hazard detector 500. The safety processor can poll safetysensors, such as smoke and/or CO sensors for example, and activate thealarm device 706 when one or more of safety sensors indicate that ahazard event is detected. The safety processor can operate independentlyof the system processor and can activate the alarm device 706 regardlessof what state the system processor is in. For example, if the systemprocessor is performing an active function, such as performing a WiFiupdate for example, or is shut down due to power constraints, the safetyprocessor may still activate the alarm device 706 when a hazard event isdetected.

In some examples, the software running on the safety processor may bepermanently fixed and may never be updated via a software or firmwareupdate after the hazard detector 500 leaves the factory. Compared to thesystem processor, the safety processor is a less power consumingprocessor. Using the safety processor to monitor the safety sensors, asopposed to using the system processor to do this, can yield powersavings because safety processor may be constantly monitoring the safetysensors. If the system processor were to constantly monitor the safetysensors, power savings may not be realized. In addition to the powersavings realized by using safety processor for monitoring the safetysensors, bifurcating the processors can also ensure that the safetyfeatures of the hazard detector 500 always work, regardless of whetherthe higher level user interface works. The relatively high powerwireless communications circuitry can be, for example, a WiFi modulecapable of communicating according to any of the 802.11 protocols.

By way of example, the relatively high power wireless communicationscircuitry may be implemented using a Broadcom BCM43362 WiFi module. Therelatively low power wireless communications circuitry can be a lowpower Wireless Personal Area Network (6LoWPAN) module or a ZigBee®module capable of communicating according to a 802.15.4 protocol. Forexample, in one example, the relatively low power wirelesscommunications circuitry may be implemented using an Ember EM357(6LoWPAN) module. The non-volatile memory can be any suitable permanentmemory storage such as, for example, NAND Flash, a hard disk drive, NOR,ROM, or phase change memory. In one example, the non-volatile memory canstore audio clips that can be played back using the speaker 512. Theaudio clips can include installation instructions or warnings in one ormore languages. The interface sensors can includes sensors that aremonitored by the system processor, while the safety sensors can includesensors that are monitored by the safety processor.

The interface sensors may include, for example, an ALS (Ambient LightSensor), such as could be implemented using a discrete photodiode, anoise sensor, a PIR motion sensor, such as could be implemented using anExcelitas PYQ1348 module, and one or more ultrasonic sensors, such ascould be implemented using one or more Manorshi MS-P2360H12TR modules.The safety sensors can include, for example, the smoke chamber 510,which could employ or leverage for example an Excelitas IR module, theCO module 704, which could employ or leverage for example a FigaroTGS5342 sensor, and a temperature and humidity sensor, which couldemploy or leverage for example a Sensirion SHT20 module. The powersource may supply power to enable operation of the hazard detector andcan include any suitable source of energy. Examples discussed herein caninclude AC line power, battery power, a combination of AC line powerwith a battery backup, and externally supplied DC power, such as USB(Universal Serial Bus) supplied power. Examples that use AC line power,AC line power with battery backup, or externally supplied DC power maybe subject to different power conservation constraints than battery onlyexamples.

Preferably, battery-only powered examples are designed to manage powerconsumption of a finite energy supply such that hazard detector 500operates for a minimum period of time of at least seven, eight, nine, orten years. Line powered examples are not as constrained. Line poweredwith battery backup examples may employ power conservation methods toprolong the life of the backup battery. In battery-only examples, thepower source can include one or more batteries, such as the battery pack516. The batteries may be constructed from different compositions, suchalkaline or lithium iron disulfide for example, and different end-userconfigurations, such as permanent, user replaceable, or non-userreplaceable for example, may be used. In one example, six cells ofLi—FeS₂ may be arranged in two stacks of three. Such an arrangement mayyield about 27000 mWh of total available power for the hazard detector500. Other examples are possible.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an example method 800 for setting up a hazarddetector and establishing a pairing between the hazard detector and anonline management account is shown according to the principles of thepresent disclosure. Each step of the example method 800 is discussed indetail below, and some steps are discussed with reference to additionalfigures that may provide physical illustrations related to the steps ofthe example method 800. The method 800 is an exemplary method of settingup and pairing a hazard detector, some illustrated steps may not benecessary or applicable and other, additional steps may be appropriateor implemented as desired, the same of which may or may not beimplementation-specific.

At step 802, a central server or a cloud-computing system, e.g., system236 of FIG. 2, may receive input corresponding to a code. This code maybe correspond to a unique identifier or ID of a hazard detector, such ashazard detector 500. The code may also be associated with additionalinformation stored on a server or system, e.g., the manufacture date ofthe hazard detector 500, the software version that was initiallyinstalled on the hazard detector and/or other information about thehazard detector. Before the server can receive this code in step 802, auser first may obtain the code from the hazard detector 500. The codemay be contained in the product packaging of the hazard detector ordisplayed on the hazard detector and provided to the system 236 via anapp or a webpage configured to provide communication to the system 236.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 9-16, an example physical processfor obtaining the mentioned code and providing it for the server toreceive the code is shown according to the principles of the presentdisclosure. Firstly, the hazard detector 500 may be removed from itsproduct packaging. This may be accomplished by separating top and bottomportions 1000 a-b of the box 1000, exposing the hazard detector 500, asshown in FIG. 9. Then, the hazard detector 500 may be removed from thebox 1000, along with the other contents of the box 1000, as shown inFIG. 10. The other contents may include a mounting plate 1002, e.g.,mounting plate 502, fasteners 1004 for securely affixing the mountingplate 1002 to a wall of a home or other structure, and a hazard detectorinformation packet 1006. In some examples, it may be necessary for auser to pull a battery tab in order to expose the terminals of thebatteries, e.g., the batteries of battery pack 516, and provideoperating power or backup power to hazard detector 500.

The hazard detector 500 and the mounting plate 1002 may includecorresponding features such that hazard detector 500 becomes locked ontomounting plate 1002 when a user twists the hazard detector 500 in arotational direction 1008, as shown in FIG. 11. The hazard detector 500may also include circuitry and sensors that cause the hazard detector500 to “boot-up” or initiate its operating system when the sensorsdetect that hazard detector 500 has been mounted on mounting plate 1002.As shown in FIG. 11, the hazard detector 500 may generate music toindicate that it is booting up, e.g., the hazard detector 500 maygenerate music via speaker 512. Alternatively, the hazard detector 500may generate any form of an audio indication, such as tones, speech,etc., and/or visual indication, such as LED lights that may producelight according to a predetermined pattern.

As shown in FIG. 12, after the hazard detector 500 has booted-up, a usermay press the lens button 520 in a direction 1010 to begin communicatingwith the hazard detector 500. Alternatively, the user may use voicecommands to begin communicating with the hazard detector 500. Inresponse, the hazard detector 500 may generate audio and/or visualindicators, as shown in FIG. 13. For example, the hazard detector 500may tell the user “Device ready! Press again to test.” The hazarddetector 500 may also generate pulsing blue light rays or other visualeffects via the light ring 522. As discussed below, these audio and/orvisual indicators direct or instruct the user to open an app or awebpage at a computing device in order to provide the code. The hazarddetector 500 may also generate audio and/or visual indicators andreceive input via the lens button 520 in order to allow the user toselect a language preference for the operation of hazard detector 500.

FIG. 13 shows an app or application 1012, or, e.g., a webpage, that mayamong other things provide a user with instructions for the next stepsof the setup process. For example, the application 1012 may be opened ona computing device, e.g., mobile device 230 as shown in FIG. 2, andprovide an interface on a screen 1014 for leading a user through thenext steps of the setup process. More specifically, FIG. 13 shows thatapplication 1012 may inform a user that the “Device is ready when itslight pulses blue” and etc. Accordingly, the user may select a setupbutton 1016 after hazard detector 500 pulses blue light rays 1018 andgenerates the following speech: “Ready.” In some situations whereapplication 1012 is not already installed on mobile device 230, thehazard detector may actually instruct the user to download and installapplication 1012 using audio (e.g., speech) and/or visual indicators.

Selecting the setup button 1016 brings up an interface of theapplication 1012, as shown in FIG. 14, that instructs the user toprovide the unique code for hazard detector 500. The user may enter analphanumeric code manually in the field 1020 and select a done button1022 when finished. Alternatively, the user may select a scan button1024 to bring up an interface of the application 1012 as shown in FIG.15. That interface may be used for scanning QR codes. The QR code andthe alphanumeric code may be found on a sticker 1026 that is located onback plate 504 of hazard detector 500. As shown in FIG. 15, theapplication 1012 may enter a camera mode interface in order to allow auser to take a picture of a QR code 1028 located on the sticker 1026 andnext to alphanumeric code 1030. The application 1012 may process the QRcode 1028 in order to determine or otherwise identify the alphanumericcode 1030, another unique ID of hazard detector 500 or other informationconcerning hazard detector 500. The application 1012 may automaticallyinput or populate the alphanumeric code 1030 into the field 1020 (shownin FIG. 16) following the scanning of QR code 1028.

FIG. 16 shows the alphanumeric code 1030 inputted into the field 1020.Again, this may be accomplished by manually inputting the alphanumericcode 1030 into the field 1020 or by scanning the QR code 1028 (see FIG.15) and allowing the application 1012 to determine and automaticallypopulate the alphanumeric code 1030 into the field 1020. The user maythen press the done button 1022 in order to send the alphanumeric code1030 to the central server or a cloud-computing system or system 236.

In order for a central server to process and store a received hazarddetector code, e.g., the alphanumeric code 1030, it may be necessary toassociate that code with a user and/or a user's online managementaccount. As discussed below, steps 804 and 806 of the method 800 mayenable a central server to process and store a received hazard detectorcode, e.g., the alphanumeric code 1030. In particular, at step 804 ofthe example method 800, system or system 236 of FIG. 2 for example mayreceive input corresponding to credentials for accessing an onlinemanagement account. For example, after detecting depression of the donebutton 1022 (see FIG. 16), the application 1012 may send credentials foran online management account, which credentials may have been previouslystored on application 1012, to the system 236. These credentials mayhave been entered at the application 1012 at a previous time, e.g.,after first opening the application 1012, or at some other time beforebeginning step 802 above. Alternatively, a user may be prompted tocreate an online management account after pressing the done button 1022.The online management account may be created at the application 1012 ora webpage configured to provide communication to system 236. Thecredentials for the newly created online management account may then beprovided to the system 236 by or via the application 1012, e.g., in amanner similar to providing the alphanumeric code 1030 to the system 236via the application 1012. Online management accounts, which may beuniquely identified by an email address for example may allow users toaccess or otherwise benefit from online services, e.g., services 306, asdiscussed above in connection with FIG. 2.

At step 806, a central server or a cloud-computing system, e.g., system236, may associate the hazard detector 500 and an online managementaccount using a code, e.g., the alphanumeric code 1030, and credentialsfor the online management account. This may also allow data, e.g., homedata 304 of FIG. 3, to be collected, stored and linked to and/oraccessible at a user's online management account. Additionally, thisassociation may allow for remote access and/or remote or distributedcontrol of the hazard detector 500 via a user's online managementaccount. However, in order for data collected from and/or remote controlof hazard detector 500 to be possible, the hazard detector 500 may needto have access to a network connection.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 17-22, an example of a physicalprocess for connecting the hazard detector 500 to the network 234 (seee.g., FIG. 2) is shown according to the principles of the presentdisclosure. For example, as shown in in FIG. 17, an interface may beprovided at or by the application 1012 on the mobile device 230 in orderto provide instructions for connecting the hazard detector 500 to thenetwork 234. For example, the instructions may comprise a number ofsteps for connecting the hazard detector 500 to the network 234 andcontinuing the setup process for hazard detector 500, including: (1)open the Settings app; and (2) under WiFi, connect to the network called“Device-659F38”; and (3) return to the application 1012 in order tocomplete the setting-up of the hazard detector 500. Some of these stepsmay be specific to type or form of the mobile device 230, which may forexample correspond to the iPhone® by Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.,but similar steps may be taken for other computing devices, e.g.,tablets, laptops, netbooks, gaming consoles, all-in-one computers, andetc., in order to connect the same to the temporary network broadcastedby the hazard detector 500.

The “Device-659F38” network may be temporary WiFi network broadcasted bythe hazard detector 500 during the setup process. Alternatively, thehazard detector 500 may broadcast one or more other networks forcommunicating with computing devices, e.g., the mobile device 230, usingother wireless protocols, e.g., any of the other wireless protocolsmentioned herein. This temporary network may provide a convenient,initial means for allowing the hazard detector 500 to communicate withthe mobile device 230 while the hazard detector 500 is not connected tothe network 234.

FIG. 18 shows a WiFi configuration interface of a settings application1032, wherein “Device-659F38” is the selected network. This“Device-659F38” network may have been selected by tapping on“Device-659F38” in the list of detected networks displayed by thesettings application 1032. The WiFi configuration interface of thesettings application 1032, as shown in FIG. 18, is an example of whatthe user might see after completing the steps of (1) and (2) of theinstructions displayed by application 1012 in FIG. 17. At step (3), theuser may return to application 1012 to complete setting up hazarddetector 500, whereupon the application 1012 may display the screenshown in FIG. 19. That screen provides confirmation that the mobiledevice 230 is connected to hazard detector 500. The hazard detector 500may also generate an audio and/or visual indicator to inform the userthat the mobile device 230 and the hazard detector 500 have beensuccessfully connected or paired. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, thehazard detector 500 may generate the following speech: “Device connectedto app!” Alternatively, hazard detector 500 may generate other audioand/or visual confirmation of the successful connection. To continue thesetup process the user may select a continue button 1034.

FIG. 20 shows a network setup interface of the application 1012. At thispoint, the application 1012 may instructs the user to select a main homenetwork from a list 1036 of WiFi networks detected by the mobile device230, and generated in list form as shown in FIG. 20 by the application1012. This may allow the user to select a network, e.g., the “OurHouse”network, that the hazard detector 500 may use to connect to the networkor network 234. Upon selecting a network, an interface may be displayedby application 1012, as shown in FIG. 21, wherein the user may enter thepassword for connecting to the selected network in a field 1038. Thesecredentials may be sent by the application 1012 to the hazard detector500 so that the hazard detector 500 may gain access to the network 234via a router of the selected network.

The application 1012 may then display a screen as shown in FIG. 22 inorder to provide confirmation that the hazard detector 500 has connectedto the “OurHouse” local network, the network 234, and the system 236 viaa “host.com” website. The hazard detector 500 may also generate acorresponding audio and/or visual indicator. For example, as shown inFIG. 22, the hazard detector 500 may generate the following audio:“Device connected to nest.com!” Alternatively, the hazard detector 500may generate other audio and/or visual confirmation of the successfulconnections. Further, the mobile device 230 itself may generate an audioand/or tactile or vibratory output for confirmation of the successfulconnections. These confirmations may signify that the hazard detector500 has been associated with an online management account and the useris able to access or otherwise benefit from the services 306 (see e.g.,FIG. 3), e.g., the user may communicate with the hazard detector 500using a computing device, such as a desktop computer, laptop computer,tablet, or other device, such as the mobile device 230.

Referring now back to FIG. 8, at step 808 of the example method 800, thehazard detector 500 may receive or otherwise detect user-inputcorresponding to its location within a home or building, such as anend-user inputting information into the mobile device 230 or by manualdepression of the lens button 520 that which provides an indication asto where the hazard detector 500 is physically located. In someexamples, the hazard detector 500 may transmit the location informationto the central server or system 236. As alluded to, the user-input couldcorrespond to location information, such as indication of a room type orroom name where hazard detector 500 is currently or instantly beinginstalled. The location information could be stored locally to thehazard detector 500 and/or at the user's online management account,e.g., the system 236, and used to enhance the features of services 306provided by and to hazard detector 500.

The location information may be used to further configure the hazarddetector 500. For example, the location of hazard detector 500 may beused to alter the way alerts and/or alarms are provided and/or how thehazard detector 500 interprets data as acquired by its various sensors.More specifically, for example, the hazard detector 500 may account forthe environmental characteristics of a kitchen by adjusting a pre-alarmthreshold to make the hazard detector 500 less sensitive to smoke andheat commonly observed in a kitchen environment. Also, for example, thehazard detector 500 may account for increased humidity since higherlevels of humidity is a characteristic of a kitchen environment, e.g.,higher humidity might develop in the kitchen when water is boiling onthe stovetop. Further, for example, the hazard detector 500 may alter analert or alarm sequence, such as by providing a user more opportunitiesto preemptively hush an alarm for a known, safe smoke condition. Inanother example, the hazard detector 500 may be installed in a bedroom.To account for the environmental characteristics of a bedroom, thehazard detector 500 may, automatically based upon a particularalgorithm, or manually based upon a particular user-input, become moresensitive to smoke and CO and/or it may increase its alarm volumes forthe purpose of waking up sleeping individuals upon detection of apotentially dangerous condition.

Referring now additionally to FIG. 23, an example of the physicalprocess associated with step 808 is shown in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure. In this example, an interface maybe provided by or at the application 1012 on the mobile device 230 toallow or enable a user select a particular installation location for orof the hazard detector 500 by selecting a room type, such as livingroom, master bedroom, and etc. It is contemplated that the user mayperform a slide gesture on a list object 1040 causing the list of roomtypes included on the list object 1040 to scroll up or down, and placeone of the room types in a select field 1042. When the desired room typeappears in the select field 1042, the user may select a done button 1044to submit the user-input that indicates the location of the hazarddetector 500 within the home. As shown in FIG. 23, the list object 1040includes the following selectable room types: Living Room, MasterBedroom, Kids Bedroom, Guest Bedroom, and Dining Room. In generalthough, the list object 1040 may also include different and/oradditional selectable room types, e.g., other house rooms, officebuilding rooms, a garage, or mobile home rooms, and so on and so forth.Alternatively, the application 1012 may provide a field, such as thefield 1038 as shown in FIG. 21, in which the user can manually enter aroom name or room type for the location in which hazard detector 500 isinstalled or another name for hazard detector 500.

Referring now additionally to FIG. 23, another example of the physicalprocess associated with step 808 is shown in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure. According to this example, thehazard detector 500 may generate audio instructions such as, “Get readyto input a location of the detector.” Here, the hazard detector 500 maypause for a moment and then output the audio “Press now for Kitchen.” Ifor when the user presses the lens button 520 soon after hearing the“Press now for Kitchen” instruction, then the hazard detector 500 mayset its location to “Kitchen.” If, however, the user does not press thelens button 520, the hazard detector 500 may output audio, “Press nowfor Bedroom.” If the user presses the lens button 520 soon after hearingthe “Press now for Bedroom” instruction, the hazard detector 500 may setits location to “Bedroom.” It is contemplated that this process maycontinue until the user selects a particular location for installationof the hazard detector 500. Such audible commands are provided forillustrative purposes, and there is an unlimited number of words andword combinations that may be used to communicate the same or differentinstructions.

Referring now back to FIG. 8, at step 810 of example method 800, a usermay be advised of recommended settings for the hazard detector 500 basedupon the identified location of the hazard detector 500. Some featuresof hazard detector 500 may not be desirable for some locations and, wheninstalled in those locations, the hazard detector 500 can be placed in alimited operation mode in which one or more of those features aredisabled. For example, it is contemplated that garages are inadvisablelocations in which to place a CO detector. However, it is furthercontemplated that garages are advisable locations in which to place heatdetectors. Accordingly, and referring now additionally to FIG. 25, if auser inputs “Garage” as the location at step 808, then according to step810, the application 1012 may provide the user with a message 1046,informing the user that CO detection is not advisable in garages andgiving the user the option of turning Off the CO detection function viaa control element 1047.

FIG. 26 illustrates another example of the application 1012 providingrecommended settings for the hazard detector 500 based upon theidentified location of the hazard detector 500. Here, the application1012 provides a list 1048 of recommended settings for the location ofthe hazard detector 500. As illustrated, the application 1012 mayrecommend turning on the smoke detection, heat detection, and nightlightfunctions, but disabling the CO detection since the hazard detector 500in this scenario is intended to be installed in a Garage. The user mayaccept these recommended setting by pressing done button 1044, or theuser may change the recommended settings by pressing a particularinstance of a control or button 1050 next to each of the listed settingsto toggle between OFF and ON, and then press the button 1050 when thesettings are to the user's liking.

FIG. 27 illustrates yet another example of the application 1012providing recommended settings for the hazard detector 500 based uponthe identified location of the hazard detector 500. In this example, thehazard detector 500 is being installed in a “Kid's Bedroom” when thedefault setting for the nightlight function is OFF, and ON is thedefault setting for smoke detection, CO detection, and heat detection.The nightlight is set to OFF so that the light will not disturb peopleor the child while sleeping. However, for other rooms, such as livingrooms and kitchens, the default setting for the nightlight functionmight be ON.

Referring now back to FIG. 8, at step 812 of the example method 800,responsive to being advised of recommended settings for the hazarddetector 500 based on the location of the hazard detector 500, the usermay input their selections of which features to turn ON and OFF. Asdiscussed above in connection with FIG. 25, responsive to being advisedthat CO detection is not recommended in Garages, the user can may pressthe control element 1047 to answer Yes or No to the question of whetherto turn OFF the CO detection function. After selecting Yes or No theuser may press the button 1044 to submit the selection. As discussedabove in connection with FIGS. 26-27, responsive to being presented withthe a list 1048 of recommended functions for a location, a user maypress a particular button 1050 to select which features the user wantsturned OFF or ON. The user may then press the button 1044 to input theselections.

At step 814 of the example method 800, a test may performed to ensurethat the hazard detector 500 is not being or is installed in a bad ornon-preferable or non-optimal location, such as where one or more of itssensors are obstructed. In this example, it is contemplated that thehazard detector 500 may execute a self-test where it leverages itsultrasonic sensor(s) to determine its position relative to walls,ceilings, floors, and/or other objects located in the room. For example,the hazard detector 500 may use its ultrasound sensor(s) to “see” if thehazard detector 500 is located too deep in a corner or behind anobstruction, where it does not have unobstructed access to monitor theconditions of a room, including detecting occupancy of the room. In oneexample, the hazard detector 500 may test to determine whether it is toofar in a corner by using its ultrasound sensor to detect whether theperpendicular walls are within a predetermined distance, such as fivefeet or a couple of meters for example.

Referring now additionally to FIG. 28, an example of a physical processassociated with step 814 is shown in accordance with the principles ofthe present disclosure. In this example, an interface may be provided ator by the application 1012 on mobile device 230 to explain that thehazard detector 500 is ready to test whether it is installed in a goodlocation, where it can optimally detect hazardous conditions. Here, itis contemplated that the user may press the button 1052 to begin thetest. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 28, the hazard detector 500 canoutput an audible message, “Press button to test my location.” Inresponse, a particular individual users may press the lens button 520 inthe direction 1010 to begin the test. If the test fails due to hazarddetector 500 being position too close to an object for example, such asa wall, the application 1012 may display message, and/or hazard detector500 may output an audio and/or visual cue or message, indicating thathazard detector 500 may be too close to an object, such as a wall, andalso recommend relocation of the hazard detector 500 to another positionor location for installation.

Referring now back to FIG. 8, at step 816 of the example method 800, thesystem 236 (see FIG. 2) may confirm setup and pairing of the hazarddetector 500. For example, at step 816, the application 1012 may provideone or both of an audio and visual cue or confirmation message thatconfirms the pairing association created at step 804, and the setupselections made at steps 808 and 812, were or was successful. Referringnow additionally to FIG. 29, an example of a physical process associatedwith step 816 is shown in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure. Here, the application 1012 may display or output a screen inorder to provide confirmation that the setup for the hazard detector 500is complete. The hazard detector 500 may also generate a correspondingaudio and/or visual indicator. For example, as shown in FIG. 29, thehazard detector 500 may generate the following output when the “KidsBedroom” is the location selected at step 808: “Kids Bedroom DeviceReady.” Alternatively, the hazard detector 500 may generate other audioand/or visual confirmation of the successful association. Theseconfirmations may signify that hazard detector 500 has been associatedwith the selected location at the online management account on thesystem 236. The user may then tap the continue button 1052 to confirmthat the confirmation screen has been viewed. Although additional stepsmay not be required in order to complete the setup of hazard detector500, the user may still proceed with additional steps to verify that thehazard detector 500 is functioning properly.

In some examples, the input provided at the application 1012 asdiscussed in the context of the example method 800 may be accomplishedusing speech recognition, air gestures, eye tracking and blink detectionand/or other input means. Again, as mentioned above, the method 800 mayalso occur at a webpage as accessed via or by a personal computer or anyother computing device. Furthermore, although the communication betweenhazard detector 500 and the mobile device 230 is described above asoccurring over WiFi, other wireless protocols supported by both thehazard detector 500 and the mobile device 230. Also, while a limitednumber of visual and audio indicators generated by hazard detector 500were described above, other indicators may also be generated by hazarddetector 500 during the example method 800.

According to the principles of the present disclosure, “alarm conditiondetection and notification” services are provided to detect and warnusers of alarm conditions in an environment, such as a home. Moreparticularly, the hazard detector 500 for example may detect alarmconditions based on information obtained from its sensors, and providecorresponding alarms to perceivable to users or customers. In general,alarm conditions may for example be divided into two categories:pre-hazardous conditions and serious hazardous conditions. Serioushazardous conditions may comprise situations where sensor data indicatesthat conditions in an environment are dangerous to the health and safetyof individuals in the environment. Pre-hazardous conditions may howevercomprise situations where the sensor data is not “strong” enough tosupport a serious hazardous condition, but the sensor data is enough tosuggest that a pre-hazardous condition may exist in the environment, andthat it may be beneficial to notify users so they can investigate thecondition and assess whether remedial measures are warranted to preventthe pre-hazardous condition from escalating to a serious hazardouscondition.

As mentioned, the hazard detector 500 may provide an alarm to users upondetermining that an alarm condition exists in an environment. In asmoke-related example, the hazard detector 500 may provide an alarm forsmoke indicating an alarm condition for smoke exists in the environment.In one example, the hazard detector 500 may determine that an alarmcondition for smoke exists when, based on data obtained from itssensors, it observes that conditions in the environment have reached orexceeded one or more predetermined thresholds, including one or more ofa smoke threshold, a humidity threshold, a CO threshold, and atemperature threshold. In a particular example, the hazard detector 500may determine that an alarm condition for smoke exists when the smokelevel in the environment exceeds a threshold trend for smoke, such as0.5 obscuration for thirty consecutive seconds for example. In anothersmoke-related example, the hazard detector 500 may determine that analarm condition for smoke exists when the smoke level in the environmentexceeds a threshold trend for smoke and the humidity level of theenvironment is decreasing. In other examples, the hazard detector 500may determine that an alarm condition for smoke exists when the CO levelof the environment exceeds a threshold value for CO, such as CO >70instantaneously for example, or when the temperature of the environmentexceeds a threshold trend for temperature, such as, temperature ofenvironment increases by 10° F. in last three minutes for example.

In a CO-related example, the hazard detector 500 may provide an alarmindicating an alarm condition for CO exists in the environment. In thisexample, the hazard detector 500 may determine that an alarm conditionfor CO exists when, based on data from its sensors, it observes thatconditions in the environment have reached or exceeded one or morepredetermined thresholds used to determine whether an alarm conditionfor CO exists. In one example, the hazard detector 500 may determinethat an alarm condition for CO exists and then provide a correspondingalarm when its CO sensor observes CO levels above a threshold trend forCO, such as CO concentration exceeds 50 ppm for thirty consecutiveseconds, or CO concentration exceeds 300 ppm after a three-minuteperiod, etc. In some example, a power law function, such as a quadraticfunction may be used to model the threshold trend for CO. In an examplequadratic function, time is the independent variable and CO level is thedependent variable. If, at a particular time, the CO level of theenvironment exceeds the CO level provided by the quadratic function forthat particular time, then the hazard detector 500 may determine that analarm condition for CO exists. Other examples are possible.

In a heat-related example, the hazard detector 500 may provide apre-alarm indicating a pre-hazardous condition for heat that exists inthe environment. In this example, the hazard detector 500 may determinethat a pre-alarm condition for heat exists when, based on data from itssensors, it observes that conditions in the environment have reached orexceeded one or more predetermined thresholds used to determine whethera pre-hazardous condition for heat exists. In one example, the hazarddetector 500 may determine that a pre-hazardous condition for heatexists and provides a corresponding pre-alarm when its heat sensorobserves heat levels above a threshold value for heat, such as when heatexceeds 90° F. In another example, the hazard detector 500 may determinethat a pre-hazardous condition for heat exists and then may provide acorresponding pre-alarm when its heat sensor observes heat levels abovea threshold trend for heat, such as temperature that has increased by atleast 12° F. over sixty seconds.

In yet another example, the hazard detector 500 may determine that apre-hazardous condition for heat exists and may then provide acorresponding pre-alarm when its heat sensor observes heat levels abovea threshold value and a threshold trend for heat, such as temperaturethat exceeds 90° F. and the temperature has increased by at least 12° F.over sixty seconds. It should be appreciated that a linear function,such as a piecewise linear function, may be used to model the thresholdtrend for heat. In an example linear function, time is the independentvariable and temperature is the dependent variable. If, at a particulartime, the temperature of the environment exceeds the temperatureprovided by the linear function for that particular time, then thehazard detector 500 may determine that a pre-hazardous condition forheat exists.

As discussed throughout, the hazard detector 500 of the presentdisclosure may provide a pre-alarming or pre-alarm capability, which mayalso be referred to as a “heads-up” capability, to provide a warning toa user that a pre-hazardous condition has been detected in which thereare elevated readings corresponding to a type of hazard(s) beingdetected, but those readings do not yet rise to levels corresponding toan actual or serious alarm condition. Examples of pre-alarm or heads-upconditions may include, but not limited to, readings for carbon monoxidethat are elevated but not high enough to warrant the sounding of astandard emergency carbon monoxide alarm, or readings for smoke levelsthat are elevated but not high enough to warrant a sounding of astandard emergency smoke alarm.

When a heads-up condition is detected, the hazard detector 500 may soundor output an audible, but not ear-piercing, “pre-alarm” or “heads-up”message that audibly informs those within earshot of the pre-alarmcondition. In some examples, a modulated light glow of a concerningcolor, such as red or yellow, and/or spatiotemporal light pattern outputvia the light ring 522 of the hazard detector 500 may accompany theaudio pre-alarm message. One example of such an audible message that maybe provided in the context of a pre-alarm level of smoke for a hazarddetector installed in a bedroom may comprise a bell or bell-like sound,followed by an voice message, “Heads-up. There is smoke in the bedroom.”In some examples, once the pre-alarm condition has gone away orsubsided, such as when for example an individual user has gone to thebedroom and snuffed out a cigarette that was in the ash tray, and thataction was successful in clearing up the smoke, the hazard detector 500may then audibly advise that the pre-alarm condition has cleared, suchas “Smoke has cleared in or from the bedroom.” In the event thepre-alarm condition escalates into an actual or serious alarm condition,then an ear-piercing alarm my sound, possibly accompanied by anemergency-indicating halo glow output via the light ring 522, such as aflashing red light, also accompanied by, during any regulation-requiredor regulation-permitted silence intervals between alarming, a voice oraudio alarm such as “EMERGENCY. THERE IS SMOKE IN THE BEDROOM, GET OUTNOW.” Other examples are possible.

According to some examples, users may “hush” the hazard detector 500 tocause it to stop “pre-alarming” and to continue monitoring theenvironment. While the hazard detector 500 is “hushed” or quieted, usersmay investigate whether the indicated pre-hazardous condition indeedexists and take any necessary remedial measures. However, if thepre-hazardous condition persists, the hazard detector 500 may provideanother pre-alarm indicating that the pre-hazardous condition stillexists. Further, the hazard detector 500 may provide a “regular” or“emergency” or “serious hazardous alarm” indicating a serious hazardouscondition exists if the pre-hazardous condition escalates to a serioushazardous condition. In some examples, the thresholds that the hazarddetector 500 uses when determining whether a serious hazardous conditionexists are set to or at least based on UL Standards for Safety. Ingeneral, those thresholds may not be adjusted or modified in a mannersimilar to of the “pre-alarm” or “heads-up” thresholds as discussedthroughout. The present disclosure though is not so limited. Forinstance, in some examples the thresholds that the hazard detector 500uses when determining whether a serious hazardous condition exists,those set to or at least based on UL Standards for Safety, may beadjusted or modified in a manner similar to of the “pre-alarm” or“heads-up” thresholds as discussed throughout, possibly based uponimplementation-specific details.

According to examples, the pre-alarms indicating pre-hazardousconditions provide details about the pre-hazardous condition. Forexample, the hazard detector 500 and/or the system 236 may send amessage to the mobile device 230 of user stating specifics about thecondition. In one particular example, the message may comprise “The COlevel in your home has increased twenty-percent in the last two weeks.You might consider having an expert inspect your home to determine thecause.” Also for example, the hazard detector 500 and/or other smartdevices in the home may make similar audible announcements or displaysimilar written messages, such as for example via user-interface orprojection onto a wall or ceiling.

According to examples, thresholds such as smoke thresholds, COthresholds, heat thresholds, etc., used by the hazard detector 500 todetermine whether a pre-alarm condition exists are adjusted or set basedat least in part on where the hazard detector 500 is located. Forexample, the thresholds used by a particular hazard detector 500 locatedin a kitchen to detect pre-alarm conditions in the kitchen may bedifferent than the thresholds used to by a particular hazard detector500 located in a bedroom to detect pre-alarm conditions in the bedroom.For example, thresholds used by the hazard detector 500 located in thekitchen may account for smoke levels common to kitchens, thereby makingthe hazard detector 500 less sensitive to smoke resulting from normalcooking activities that occur in kitchens and less likely to cause anundesired pre-alarm. Reducing undesired pre-alarms is one notableadvantage provided by adjusting or setting thresholds based on where thehazard detector 500 is located.

Referring now to FIG. 30, an example method 3000 of setting one or morethresholds used by a hazard detector to determine whether an pre-alarmcondition exists. In this example, the thresholds are set based thelocation of a particular hazard detector 500 within a home or residence.As indicated at step 3002, the example method 3000 generally begins withthe hazard detector 500 receiving location information. In one example,the location information may be provided by an individual during theprocess of installing the hazard detector 500. For example, a user mayprovide the hazard detector 500 with user-input that indicates thelocation of the hazard detector 500 within the home or residence. Forexample, the user-input may indicate the name or type of the room orarea, such as bedroom, kitchen, garage, etc., where the hazard detector500 is located.

Examples of the hazard detector 500 receiving such user-input thatindicates the location of the hazard detector 500 are illustrated inFIGS. 23-24. For example, the application 1012, which is running on themobile device 230, may provide a user interface that allows a user toinput a location for the hazard detector 500. To do so, the user mayinteract with the list object 1040 causing the list of room typesincluded on the list object 1040 to scroll up or down and place one ofthe room types in the select field 1042. When the desired room typeappears in select field 1042, the user may select the done button 1044to submit the user-input that indicates the location of the hazarddetector within the home, and the mobile device 230 may then transmitthe information to hazard detector 500.

At step 3004, predetermined thresholds that correspond to the locationof the hazard detector 500 may be accessed. In this example, data may beprovided that includes predetermined thresholds that the hazard detector500 may uses to set detection thresholds or threshold values, which ituses to determine whether pre-alarm conditions for smoke, CO, and heat,among others, exist in the location where it is installed. Thepredetermined thresholds vary based on location. For example, thresholdsfor determining that an pre-alarm condition for smoke exists in anursery may be set to be substantially more sensitive less than thethresholds for determining that a pre-alarm condition for smoke existsin the kitchen. This is consistent with the fact that a parent willlikely want to have a heads-up alert even for a little bit of smoke inthe nursery whereas they will not want to be bothered by a pre-alarm inthe kitchen unless there is substantially more smoke, because somedegree of smoke is to be expected in the kitchen.

In some examples, data having predetermined thresholds and correspondinglocations is stored locally on the hazard detector 500. For example, thedata may be a lookup table stored in memory on the hazard detector 500.Thus, to access predetermined thresholds, according to step 3004 of theexample method 3000, the hazard detector 500 may access the lookup tablestored in local memory. In other examples, this data may be stored to oron a remote server, such as the system 236. According to these examples,the hazard detector 500 may obtain a pre-alarm threshold by receivingthe same from a server via a network communication. For example, thehazard detector 500 may transmit, via a network connection, to a serversuch as the system 236 for example, a query message that includes theroom type inputted by the user. Upon receiving the message, the servermay access data having room types and corresponding pre-alarm thresholdsto identify the pre-alarm alarm thresholds that correspond to the roomtype. The server may then populate the identified pre-alarm thresholdsin a response message and send that message back to the hazard detector500. Here, the hazard detector may receive, via the network connection,from the server the response message that includes the pre-alarmthreshold that corresponds to the room type. Upon accessing data havingpredetermined thresholds and corresponding locations according to step3004, the example method 3000 may proceed to step 3006 for identifyingin the accessed data the predetermined thresholds that correspond to thelocation information.

Referring still to FIG. 30, the method 3000 may then proceed to step3008 for setting the thresholds of the hazard detector 500 to be equalto the identified predetermined thresholds that correspond to thelocation of hazard detector 500. According to examples, the hazarddetector 500 may set respective thresholds it uses to detect pre-alarmconditions for smoke, CO, and heat equal to the correspondingpredetermined thresholds identified according to step 3006. According tofurther examples, the hazard detector 500 may automatically create adynamically adjustable pre-alarm based on historical CO data to detect apre-alarm condition involving CO in a garage, even if the hazarddetector 500 is not located in the garage. CO detectors are typicallynot recommended for garages because of the high frequency of falsealarms due to the high levels of CO produced by cars. However, it iscontemplated that it may be beneficial to provide CO detection forgarages.

To provide said CO-detection for garages, the hazard detector 500 mayrecord a historical log of CO data that it has detected. This log may bestored locally on the hazard detector 500 itself, or it may be stored atthe system 236. A processor of the hazard detector 500 or of the system236 may apply one or more algorithms against the log of CO data todetermine whether the data indicates that one or more automobiles areregularly started nearby. For example, the algorithms may detectoccasional CO spikes that quickly dissipate and, based on the amount bywhich the CO level increases and the amount of time it takes for thedetected CO to dissipate, and the hazard detector 500 or system 236 mayinfer that the spike was caused by a car that was started and thendriven away. If, after making this inference that a car is regularlystarted and driven away, the hazard detector 500 may observe an incidentwhere the CO spikes but does not dissipate according to schedule orknown profile. Then, the hazard detector 500 may determine that apre-hazard condition for CO exists, even if the increase CO levels arenot high enough to warrant a serious hazardous condition, or even apre-hazardous condition under usual circumstances.

Referring now back to FIG. 1, as discussed above in connection with thesame, FIG. 1 illustrates an example implementation of a particular smarthazard detector, such as the hazard detector 500, that may itselffunction as a guide during a process of installation of the same at aninstallation location, and that the installation location of theparticular smart hazard detector may play a central role in how varioussettings of the smart hazard detector are defined and adjusted overtime. In particular at step 102, an input may be provided or supplied toa particular smart hazard detector, or a device or systemcommunicatively coupled to or with the smart hazard detector forexample, that identifies an installation location within a residence ofthe smart hazard detector. An example of an installation location mayinclude “Hallway” or “Living Room” or “Garage” of or within a particularresidence for instance.

Such a feature or step may in some examples enable a method forconfiguring a hazard detector having a plurality of features and adefault configuration profile that specifies predetermined ones of theplurality of features as enabled or disabled. An example defaultconfiguration profile is shown and discussed below in connection with aTable 1, and the subject example method may include or comprise a step102 a, i.e., a sub-step of step 102 of FIG. 1 for example, of providingan opportunity for a user to input a designated location forinstallation of the hazard detector within a residence, in a mannersimilar to that as discussed throughout.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 104 a, i.e., a sub-step of step 104 of FIG. 1 for example, ofidentifying at least one feature of the plurality of features to enableor disable based upon the designated location, in response to receivingthe designated location, and a step 104 b of instantiating a command toenable or disable the at least one feature of the plurality of featuresof the hazard detector, in response to identifying the at least onefeature. The phrase “in response to” may in some examples discussedthroughout refer to or otherwise designate a step(s) and/or feature(s)of the present disclosure implemented and/or performed automatically, oras part of an automated process, by a computer system or device, such asthe hazard detector 500 without explicit, manual user input. Otherexamples are possible.

Further, as an example, the mentioned plurality of features may includea smoke detection feature and a carbon monoxide detection feature, andthe mentioned default configuration profile may include an indicationand/or specify both of the smoke detection feature and carbon monoxidedetection feature as enabled or activated or placed in an ON or a readystate, etc., where the carbon monoxide detection feature may be disabledby the hazard detector when the mentioned designated location is of apredetermined type of location for which carbon monoxide detection isinadvisable or not recommended or the like. An example of such a type oflocation may include a garage type of location. Advantageously, when thehazard detector is installed to such a particular type of location, thecarbon monoxide detection feature may be disabled or deactivated orplaced in an OFF or a standby state, etc., so as to prevent or at leastminimize the instantiation of an alarm, such as a “heads-up pre-alarm”for example, due to carbon monoxide levels resultant from thestarting/running (e.g., at least temporarily) of a vehicle in a garagefor example. In general, a user may be advised that it is recommended todisable the carbon monoxide detection feature of a hazard detectorinstalled in a garage for this and possibly other reasons. Otherexamples are possible.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 104 c of accessing information pre-stored in a memory of the hazarddetector to identify the at least one feature to enable or disable basedupon the designated location. Additionally, or alternatively, the methodmay include or comprise a step 104 d of accessing information pre-storedin a database remote from the hazard detector to identify the at leastone feature to enable or disable based upon the designated location.Advantageously, such an implementation may enable the hazard detectorto, when a network connection is available for example, negotiate with aremote server system to identify the at least one feature to enable ordisable based upon the designated location. Such information as storedand/or maintained at or by the remote server system may periodically orat least intermittently be refreshed or updated so that in turn thehazard detector may be supplied the most current and up-to-dateinformation as to recommended features to enable/disable, based upon thedesignated location. In this example, the information pre-stored in thememory of the hazard detector may then too be periodically or at leastintermittently be refreshed or updated so that in instances when anetwork connection is not instantly or currently available. Accordingly,such information as stored and/or maintained at or by the hazarddetector may periodically or at least intermittently be refreshed orupdated so that in turn the hazard detector may have the most currentand up-to-date information as to recommended features to enable/disable.Other examples are possible.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 104 e of providing an opportunity for the user to override aparticular setting in the default configuration profile so that anassociated feature of the plurality of features is switched betweenenabled and disabled. In general, with reference to Table 1 below, thatwhich is discussed in further detail below, a user may interact withtheir smartphone for instance to navigate a website or a mobileapplication for example to selectively enable/disable particularfeatures of the hazard detector. FIG. 26 as described above shows anexample of a user interface that may enable the user to override orchange a particular setting in the default configuration profile so thatan associated feature of the plurality of features is switched betweenenabled and disabled. Advantageously, such an implementation may allowthe user to even further customize each instance of the hazard detectorin their home, based at least in part on where or what location aparticular hazard detector is installed, i.e., the designated location.Other examples are possible.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 104 f of outputting, by a speaker system of the hazard detector, anaudible request for input of the designated location for installation ofthe hazard detector, and receiving, via actuation of a mechanical inputdevice of the hazard detector, an indication of the designated locationfor installation of the hazard detector. FIG. 24 as described aboveshows an example of such an implementation. Other examples are possible.For instance, the method may additionally, or alternatively, include orcomprise a step 104 g of causing a computing device external to thehazard detector to prompt via user-interface for input of the designatedlocation for installation of the hazard detector, and causing thecomputing device external to the hazard detector to transmit thedesignated location to one of the hazard detector and a computing deviceexternal to the hazard detector to identify the at least one feature toenable or disable based upon the designated location. FIG. 23 asdescribed above shows an example of such an implementation.Advantageously, such example implementations may allow the user interactdirectly with the hazard detector to provide input or a specification asto the above mentioned designated location, or when possible, may allowthe user interact directly with their smartphone to provide input or aspecification as to the above mentioned designated location.Accordingly, a user or customer need not necessarily have a smartphoneor even access to a computer to provide input or a specification as tothe above-mentioned designated location. Still other examples arepossible.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 104 h of receiving a designation of a particular region-specificlocation of the residence, identifying at least one feature of theplurality of features to enable or disable based upon the designation,and instantiating a command to enable or disable the at least onefeature of the plurality of features of the hazard detector. In thisexample, it is contemplated that the phrase “region-specific” may referto at least one of a political boundary, a geographical boundary, one ormore “subsets” of the same, or any other type or form of demarcation,and etc. For example, a designation of a particular region-specificlocation of the residence may include “West Coast of the United States”or “California” or “Bay Area” and etc. Other examples may include apostal code, such as 94124, a time zone, such as Pacific Standard Time,a particular street address, and/or any combination thereof. Many otherexamples are possible, and it is contemplated that such animplementation may advantageously, enable the hazard detector to beserved or provided with relevant “region-specific” information that maythen be conveyed in some way to a user or customer. For example,information associated with national weather service warnings, AmberAlerts, daylight savings time settings, and etc., may be aggregated byone or more delocalized server systems and then pushed down to thehazard detector and/or a particular smartphone so that a user orcustomer may be informed of what might be considered particularlyrelevant information. For example, an audio cue such as “Severe WeatherIs Approaching Your Home” may be output by the hazard detector, and atthe same time an email or text message or the like might be sent totheir smartphone stating the same. Still many other examples arepossible.

As mentioned above, the present disclosure is directed to or towardssystems, devices, methods, and related computer-program products forproviding hazard-detection objectives. Accordingly, the exampleimplementation as discussed in connection with step 104 of FIG. 1 maytake many forms. For example, it is contemplated that a hazard detectormay include or comprise a plurality of integrated features including oneor more alarming functions and one or more home life enhancementfunctions, and a processing system, in operative communication with theplurality of integrated features, that switches the at least oneintegrated feature from a first status to one of an enabled status and adisabled status, an indication of which is output as a recommendationvia user-interface, in response to a user-based input that designates aparticular location within a residence for installation of the hazarddetector.

An example of the indication of which is output as a recommendation viauser-interface is shown and described above in connection with at leastFIG. 25 and FIG. 26. An example processing system is shown and describedbelow in connection with at least FIG. 32 and FIG. 33. Further, it iscontemplated that the plurality of integrated features may be selectedfrom, but not limited to, a carbon monoxide detection feature, amotion-activated illumination feature, a doorbell notification feature,an intercom communication feature, a voice command recognition feature,a glass break recognition feature, a distressed voice recognitionfeature, an occupancy detection feature, and a power outage notificationfeature. Table 1 below provides a summary of such example features, andamong other things illustrates example default or “out-of-box” settingsof such features, as well as an example of “recommend” settings of suchfeatures itemized on an room-specific (installation) basis:

TABLE 1 Feature SK CO ML DL IC VR OA GB OD BC PO IAQ default ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓X ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ Location — — — — — — — — — — — — bedroom ✓ ✓ X X ✓ ✓ X ✓ X ✓✓ ✓ nursery ✓ ✓ X X X ✓ X ✓ X X X ✓ hall ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ kitchen✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ X ✓ ✓ X bath ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ ✓ X ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ Patio ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X (semi- enclosed) home ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X X ✓ ✓ ✓ theater cigarroom ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ laundry ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ X ✓ ✓ X gun closet✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ workshop ✓ X ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ X X X ✓ ✓ X garage ✓ X ✓ ✓✓ ✓ X ✓ X ✓ ✓ X

Table 1 is for example purposes only. In Table 1, “V” represents “ON”and “X” represent “OFF,” and a “default” row shows example default or“out-of-box” settings of features of the hazard detector of the presentdiscussion, e.g., hazard detector 500, that which are itemized in thecolumns, and the other rows show example “recommended” settings of theitemized features on a room-type-specific basis. With specific referenceto the columns, column 1 “SK” represents a smoke detection feature,column 2 “CO” represents a carbon monoxide detection feature, column 3“ML” represents a motion pathway lighting or “Pathlight” feature, column4 “DL” represents a doorbell notification feature, column 5 “IC”represents an intercom communication feature, column 6 “VR” represents avoice command recognition feature, column 7 “OA” represents an “alarm ifany occupancy” feature, column 8 “GB” represents a glass breakmicrophone feature, column 9 “OD” represents a “disable occupancydetection” feature, column 10 “BC” represents a “notify if baby cry”feature, column 11 “PO” represents a “notify if power outage” feature,and column 12 “IAQ” represents an indoor air quality feature. It willthus be appreciated that such features represent hazard detectionfeatures as well as convenience features. This is consistent with theprinciples of the present disclosure in which it is contemplated thatthe hazard detector 500 for instance in addition to providing hazarddetection capabilities and warnings may also be seamlessly incorporatedinto a smart home/automation environment. The example features of thehazard detector 500 shown in Table 1 are discussed in further detail inconnection with least FIG. 31.

Referring now again back to FIG. 1, as discussed above in connectionwith the same, FIG. 1 illustrates an example implementation of aparticular smart hazard detector, such as the hazard detector 500, thatmay itself function as a guide during a process of installation of thesame at an installation location, and that the installation location ofthe particular smart hazard detector may play a central role in howvarious settings of the smart hazard detector are defined and adjustedover time. In particular at step 102, an input may be provided orsupplied to a particular smart hazard detector, or a device or systemcommunicatively coupled to or with the smart hazard detector forexample, that identifies an installation location within a residence ofthe smart hazard detector. An example of an installation location mayinclude “Hallway” or “Living Room” or “Garage” of or within a particularresidence for instance.

Such a feature or step may in some examples enable a method forconfiguring a hazard detector having a heads-up pre-alarm capability, astandard emergency alarm capability, and a default configuration profilein which there is a first heads-up pre-alarm threshold for a hazard tobe detected and an emergency alarm threshold for the hazard to bedetected. An example default configuration/profile is shown anddiscussed in connection with Table 1 above, and the subject examplemethod may include or comprise a step 102 a, i.e., a sub-step of step102 of FIG. 1 for example, of providing an opportunity for a user toinput a designated location for installation of the hazard detectorwithin a residence, in a manner similar to that as discussed throughout.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 106 a, i.e., a sub-step of step 106 of FIG. 1 for example, ofidentifying a second heads-up pre-alarm threshold based upon thedesignation of the particular location, upon receiving the designatedlocation, and a step 106 b of instantiating a command to operate thehazard detector according to the second heads-up pre-alarm threshold andthe emergency alarm threshold. Other examples are possible. However, inthis example and as discussed in detail above, a heads-up pre-alarm isdifferent than an emergency alarm in that a heads-up pre-alarm may beconsidered more of a gentle warning (e.g., a “beep-beep” followed by aparticular audio/visual notification) of the possibility of a dangerouscondition or scenario, whereas a standard emergency alarm may beconsidered more of a serious warning (e.g., an “ear piercing” sirenfollowed by a particular audio/visual notification) that indicates thepresence or imminent presence a dangerous condition or scenario.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 106 c of instantiating a command to set the second heads-uppre-alarm threshold to a level greater than the first heads-up pre-alarmthreshold when the designated location corresponds to a type ofhousehold location predicted to be associated with levels of the hazardto be detected generally greater than one or more other types ofhousehold locations. In some examples, the type of household locationpredicted to be associated with levels of the hazard to be detectedgenerally greater than one or more other types of household locationsmay be selected from a kitchen type of location and a garage type oflocation. Other examples are however possible. Advantageously, byraising the pre-alarm threshold in such a manner the hazard detector maybe less prone to outputting pre-alarm warnings for a particular type ofhazard when it is known that that type of hazard is common or the like,in concentrations that would not necessarily warrant output of astandard emergency alarm. For example, the pre-alarm threshold for asmoke detection feature of a particular hazard detector installed in akitchen might be “raised” in the example scenario so that smoke from“burnt toast” would not necessarily trigger a heads-up pre-alarm. At thesame time, the emergency threshold for the smoke detection feature ofthe hazard detector installed in the kitchen might be left alone orunchanged so that smoke from an “oil fire,” likely to be moresubstantial than smoke from “burnt toast,” would trigger an emergencyalarm, assuming one or more associated criterion are determined to bemet by the hazard detector. Other examples are possible.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 106 d of instantiating a command to set the second heads-uppre-alarm threshold to a level less than the first heads-up pre-alarmthreshold when the designated location corresponds to a type ofhousehold location predicted to be frequented by one or more individualssusceptible to irritation by the hazard to be detected. In someexamples, the type of household location predicted to be frequented byone or more individuals susceptible to irritation by the hazard to bedetected may be selected from a bedroom type of location and a caregivertype of location. Other examples are possible. Advantageously, bylowering the pre-alarm threshold in such a manner the hazard detectormay output pre-alarm warnings for a particular type of hazard when it isknown that that type of hazard is common in concentrations that mightnot necessarily trigger a pre-alarm warning if the threshold were notlowered, but those concentrations may or might still affect “at-risk”individuals. For example, the pre-alarm threshold for a smoke detectionfeature of a particular hazard detector installed in a bedroom of childthat has asthma might be “lowered” in the example scenario so that smokethat wafts-in from a kitchen due to “burnt toast” might still trigger aheads-up pre-alarm even though concentration of the smoke in the bedroommight be considered minimal or low. In this way, a parent or guardianmight be sufficiently warned so as to be able to address the situationbefore the child is affected by the smoke, even when there is not muchsmoke in the air at any particular instance in time. Other examples arepossible.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 106 e of accessing information pre-stored in a database remote fromthe hazard detector to identify the second heads-up pre-alarm thresholdbased upon the designation of the particular location. Additionally, oralternatively, the method may include or comprise a step 106 f ofaccessing information pre-stored in a memory of the hazard detector toidentify the second heads-up pre-alarm threshold based upon thedesignation of the particular location. Additionally, or alternatively,the method may include or comprise a step 106 g, i.e., a sub-step ofstep 106 of FIG. 1 for example, of periodically or intermittentlyreceiving an update to the second heads-up pre-alarm threshold from acomputing system remote from the hazard detector. Advantageously, suchan implementation may enable the hazard detector to, when a networkconnection is available for example, negotiate with a remote serversystem to identify the second heads-up pre-alarm threshold based uponthe designation of the particular location. Such information as storedand/or maintained at or by the remote server system may periodically orat least intermittently be refreshed or updated so that in turn thehazard detector may be supplied the most current and up-to-dateinformation as to a particular “value” of the second heads-up pre-alarmthreshold, based upon the designation of the particular location.Accordingly, such information as stored and/or maintained at or by thehazard detector may periodically or at least intermittently be refreshedor updated so that in turn the hazard detector may have the most currentand up-to-date information as to a particular “value” of the secondheads-up pre-alarm threshold, based upon the designation of theparticular location. Other examples are possible.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 106 h of providing an opportunity for the user to manually modifyor adjust the second heads-up pre-alarm threshold. The method mayadditionally, or alternatively, include or comprise a step 106 i ofprompting via user-interface for input to modify or adjust the secondheads-up pre-alarm threshold, and instantiating a command to increase ordecrease the second heads-up pre-alarm threshold based on received userinput. It is contemplated that the example user interface of FIG. 26and/or FIG. 27 may be modified so as to enable such features asdiscussed in the context of the present disclosure. For example, a“sensitivity” control or button or the like may be positioned or locatedadjacent or at least near the “CO Detection” ON/OFF button or control asshown in FIG. 26. It is contemplated that an indicator or indicationsuch as “Current threshold setting is CO >=200 ppm instantaneously after5 min of monitoring, press the ‘increase’ or ‘decrease’ control buttonto increase/decrease the setting in increments of 50 ppm” may bepresented. Since the subject hazard detector is installed to a garagetype of location, a savvy user or customer might press the “increase”control button until the indicator reads “Current threshold setting isCO >=400 ppm instantaneously after 5 min of monitoring, press ‘increase’or ‘decrease’ control button to increase/decrease concentration settingin increments of 50 ppm.” By raising the pre-alarm threshold in thisscenario, annoying false alarms due the starting of a vehicle forexample might be minimized. It is contemplated that such an action whenperformed may ultimately enable the hazard detector to self-adjust itspre-alarm threshold setting(s) so the subject pre-alarm threshold of thepresent example may be raised or elevated or increased accordingly.Advantageously, such an implementation may allow the user to evenfurther customize each instance of the hazard detector in their home,based at least in part on where or what location a particular hazarddetector is installed, i.e., based upon the designation of theparticular location. Other examples are possible.

As mentioned above, the present disclosure is directed to or towardssystems, devices, methods, and related computer-program products forproviding hazard-detection objectives. Accordingly, the exampleimplementation as discussed in connection with step 106 of FIG. 1 maytake many forms. For example, it is contemplated that a hazard detectormay include or comprise at least one hazard detection feature, and aprocessing system, in operative communication with the at least onehazard detection feature, that adjusts a first heads-up pre-alarmthreshold of the at least one hazard detection feature to a secondheads-up pre-alarm threshold in response to a user input that identifiesa particular installation location of the hazard detector within aresidence, so that the at least one hazard detection feature operatesaccording to the second heads-up pre-alarm threshold for a hazard to bedetected, and a standard emergency alarm threshold for the hazard to bedetected.

In one example, the second heads-up pre-alarm threshold may be adjustedto a level greater than the first heads-up pre-alarm up threshold. Inanother example, the second heads-up pre-alarm threshold is adjusted toa level less than the first heads-up pre-alarm up threshold. In oneexample, the at least one hazard detection feature may in include orcomprise a carbon monoxide detection feature. In another example, the atleast one hazard detection feature may include or comprise a smokedetection feature. Many other examples are possible. Further, it iscontemplated that the hazard detector may include or comprise any of avariety of other components or elements.

For example, the hazard detector may include or comprise an outputdevice, such as a speaker and/or microphone system. In this example, itis contemplated that a particular audible alert of first volumeintensity may be generated by the output device when a detectedmagnitude of the hazard is determined to be greater than the secondheads-up pre-alarm threshold and less than the emergency alarmthreshold, and another particular audible alert of second volumeintensity greater than the first volume intensity may be generated bythe output device when the detected magnitude of the hazard isdetermined to be greater than the emergency alarm threshold. Such animplementation is consistent with the above-described differencesbetween heads-up pre-alarms and standard emergency alarms of the presentdisclosure. In particular, a heads-up pre-alarm is different than astandard emergency alarm in that a heads-up pre-alarm may be consideredmore of a gentle warning of the possibility of a dangerous condition orscenario, whereas an emergency alarm may be considered more of a seriouswarning that indicates the presence or imminent presence a dangerouscondition or scenario. It is though contemplated that other alarms oralerts may be output by the output device.

For instance, in one example a particular audible alert may be output bythe output device when a detected magnitude of the above-mentionedhazard is determined to be increasing, to indicate rising levels of thehazard. An example of such an output may include “CO levels areincreasing. Open a window in the bedroom.” Other examples are possible.For instance, in one example a particular audible alert may be output bythe when a detected magnitude of the above-mentioned hazard isdetermined to be decreasing, to indicate falling levels of the hazard.An example of such an output may include “CO levels are decreasing andit has been detected that the window in the bedroom is open. It is OK tonow close the window in the bedroom.” Still many other examples arepossible.

Referring now again back to FIG. 1, as discussed above in connectionwith the same, FIG. 1 illustrates an example implementation of aparticular smart hazard detector, such as the hazard detector 500, thatmay itself function as a guide during a process of installation of thesame at an installation location, and that the installation location ofthe particular smart hazard detector may play a central role in howvarious settings of the smart hazard detector are defined and adjustedover time. With reference to step 108, such an implementation may enablea method for guiding installation of a hazard detector. For example, themethod may include or comprise a step 108 a, i.e., a sub-step of step108 of FIG. 1 for example, of receiving, by the hazard detector duringinstallation at a particular location within a residence, an inputcommand to test whether an instant placement of the hazard detectorwould prevent the hazard detector from operating within specification todetect and/or mitigate one or more hazards. The method may additionally,or alternatively, include or comprise a step 108 b of implementing, bythe hazard detector in response to receiving the input command, a testsequence to determine whether the instant placement of the hazarddetector would prevent the hazard detector from operating withinspecification to detect and/or mitigate one or more hazards. The methodmay additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise a step 108 c ofoutputting, by the hazard detector, a particular notification duringinstallation at the particular location when it is determined that theinstant placement of the hazard detector would prevent the hazarddetector from operating within specification to detect and/or mitigateone or more hazards, based upon readings of at least one component ofthe hazard detector.

Other examples are possible. In the present example though, the phrase“instant placement” may in some examples refer to a “current” or“present” position and/or orientation of the hazard detector as intendedfor installation. For example, an individual who is in the process ofinstalling the hazard detector may hold the same in their hand and thenplace or position the hazard detector to a specific location or spot ona ceiling in a hallway of the residence. At this point though the hazarddetector is not secured or otherwise fastened to the ceiling. Thatthough may be done to perfect installation of the hazard detector at theinstant placement of the same. Further, the phrase “prevent the hazarddetector from operating within specification to detect and/or mitigateone or more hazards” or variations thereof may in some examples refer toa scenario in which at least one function or feature of the hazarddetector would not be able to operate or function as intended if thehazard detector were secured or otherwise fastened at a positioncorresponding to the instant placement of the same. For example, if thehazard detector were worst case scenario placed in a drawer or closet,features such as a carbon monoxide detector, smoke detector, ambientlight detector, etc., of the hazard detector may not operate as intendedif the hazard detector were secured or otherwise fastened to surface inthe drawer. This is because the hazard detector in this example would beinstalled in a tightly confined space. As another example, if the hazarddetector were installed in a ceiling corner, this may violate arecommended and/or mandated placement of the hazard detector to be 6inches or greater or more from any particular wall surface for example.Still many other examples are possible.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 108 d of determining, based upon readings of a proximity sensor ofthe hazard detector, that the instant placement of the hazard detectoris within a prohibitive distance from one or more wall or ceilingsurfaces, and in response to the determining, outputting the particularnotification to indicate that the instant placement of the hazarddetector would prevent the hazard detector from operating withinspecification to detect and/or mitigate one or more hazards. In someexamples, the proximity sensor may comprise of an ultrasonic sensor. Inother example, the proximity sensor may comprise of an LEDtime-of-flight range finder. Still many other examples are possible. Inthese examples though, it is contemplated that the proximity sensor maytransmit an interrogating pulse, such as once every 10 milliseconds forexample, so that the proximity sensor and ultimately the hazard detectormay determine if the hazard detector, at a position corresponding to theinstant placement of the same, is too close to a surface of one or morewalls, for example. If this were the case, it is contemplated that thehazard detector may provide feedback, such as an audible “the hazarddetector is placed too close to the wall” and/or a visual “flashing red”or “flashing yellow” sequence, as output by the light ring 522 of thehazard detector. In practice, if the hazard detector were in real-timemoved to a distance that is not or no longer too close to a surface ofone or more walls, it is contemplated that the hazard detector mayprovide additional feedback, such as an audible “the hazard detector isno longer too close the wall” and/or a visual “flashing green” sequenceor a “steady green” visual cue. Still many other examples are possible.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 108 e of determining, based upon a reading of an orientation sensorof the hazard detector, that an instant spatial orientation of thehazard detector is unsuitable for one or more features of the hazarddetector to operate as intended, and in response to the determining,outputting the particular notification to indicate that the instantplacement of the hazard detector would prevent the hazard detector fromoperating within specification to detect and/or mitigate one or morehazards. In some examples, the orientation sensor may comprise of anaccelerometer. In some examples, the orientation sensor may comprise ofa gyroscope. Still many other examples are possible. In these examplesthough, it is contemplated that the orientation sensor may detect aninstant orientation of the hazard detector, such as +45 degrees asmeasured with respect to a reference axis or normal as shown in FIG. 24,which might be defined as “0 degrees” when the hazard detector is placed“face-up” on a flat surface. Thus in a typical installation scenario,the hazard detector when positioned to a flat ceiling surface may bedetermined by the orientation sensor to be at 180 degrees as measuredwith respect to a reference axis or normal as shown in FIG. 24. Theexample method though by which the hazard detector or a componentthereof quantifies or determines orientation of the hazard detector isan example only. In many instances, the orientation sensor of the hazarddetector itself may be calibrated so that no frame of reference asdefined with respect to another features or surface of the hazarddetector would be needed or necessary.

In some examples, a particular orientation may not be preferable incomparison to other orientations. For example, in someimplementation-specific situations or scenarios, it may be morepreferred to have the hazard detector when installed to be at 180degrees (e.g., approximately upside-down), as opposed to +45 degrees orwithin a tolerance range thereof. Further, similar to the above-example,it is contemplated that the hazard detector may provide feedback, suchas an audible “the hazard detector is currently placed at a non-optimalangle” and/or a visual “flashing red” or “flashing yellow” sequence, asoutput by the light ring 522 of the hazard detector. In practice, if thehazard detector were in real-time moved or manipulated to a more optimalor preferred orientation, it is contemplated that the hazard detectormay provide additional feedback, such as an audible “the hazard detectoris currently placed at an appropriate angle” and/or a visual “flashinggreen” sequence or a “steady green” visual cue. Still many otherexamples are possible.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 108 f of determining that an instant wireless signal strengthdetected by the hazard detector is within an unacceptable range, and inresponse to the determining, outputting the particular notification toindicate that the instant placement of the hazard detector would preventthe hazard detector from operating within specification to detect and/ormitigate one or more hazards. In some examples, a WiFi module or radioof the hazard detector may determine that signal strength is too low ortoo intermittent or the like for the hazard detector to establish areliable communication link with a local network or the like. Here, itis contemplated that the hazard detector may provide feedback, such asan audible “the hazard detector cannot connect to the home network”and/or a visual “flashing red” or “flashing yellow” sequence, as outputby the light ring 522 of the hazard detector. In practice, if the hazarddetector were in real-time moved or manipulated to a more optimalorientation, it is contemplated that the hazard detector may provideadditional feedback, such as an audible “signal strength is good and thehazard detector is now connected to the home network” and/or a visual“flashing green” sequence or a “steady green” visual cue. Still manyother examples are possible.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 108 g of determining that a particular hazard detection feature ofthe hazard detector is operating within an unacceptable range due toinstant or current readings being outside of an acceptable range, and inresponse to the determining, outputting the particular notification toindicate that the instant placement of the hazard detector would preventthe hazard detector from operating within specification to detect and/ormitigate one or more hazards. In some examples, the particular hazarddetection feature may comprise of a carbon monoxide detection feature.In some examples, the particular hazard detection feature may compriseof a smoke detection feature. In some examples, the particular hazarddetection feature may comprise of an ambient light sensor detectionfeature. In some examples, the particular hazard detection feature maycomprise of an ambient temperature detection feature. Still many otherexamples are possible. In these examples though, if the particularhazard detection feature cannot function properly due to sensor orsensory overload, an obstruction, or the like, the hazard detector mayprovide feedback, such as an audible “the temperature sensor of thehazard detector is not functioning properly, is the hazard detectorplaced in direct sunlight?” and/or a visual “flashing red” or “flashingyellow” sequence, as output by the light ring 522 of the hazarddetector. In practice, if the hazard detector were in real-time moved ormanipulated to a more optimal orientation or position, it iscontemplated that the hazard detector may provide additional feedback,such as an audible “the temperature sensor of the hazard detector is nowfunctioning properly and/or a visual “flashing green” sequence or a“steady green” visual cue. Still many other examples are possible.

As mentioned above, the present disclosure is directed to or towardssystems, devices, methods, and related computer-program products forproviding hazard-detection objectives. Accordingly, the exampleimplementation as discussed in connection with step 108 of FIG. 1 maytake many forms. For example, it is contemplated that a hazard detectormay include or comprise at least one component to test duringinstallation of the hazard detector at a particular location whether aninstant placement of the hazard detector would prevent the hazarddetector from operating within specification to detect and/or mitigateone or more hazards, and a processing system, in operative communicationwith the at least one component, that determines, based upon readings ofthe at least one component, whether an instant placement of the hazarddetector during installation thereof would prevent the hazard detectorfrom operating within specification to detect and/or mitigate one ormore hazards, and when it is determined that the instant placement ofthe hazard detector would prevent the hazard detector from operatingwithin specification to detect and/or mitigate one or more hazards,causes a notification alert to be output to guide a user duringinstallation of the hazard detector to a suitable installation locationfor the hazard detector. In this example, it is contemplated that the atleast one component may take many forms, examples of which are discussedhere and also in further detail in connection with at least FIG. 31.

For instance, in one example the at least one component may include orcomprise an ultrasound sensor that determines a distance of the hazarddetector from at least one surface in proximity to the hazard detectorbased on reflections of interrogating ultrasonic waves. As anotherexample, the at least one component may include or comprise atime-of-flight LED component that determines a distance of the hazarddetector from at least one surface in proximity to the hazard detectorbased on reflections of interrogating optical waves. As yet anotherexample, the at least one component may include or comprise a videocamera that determines a distance of the hazard detector from at leastone surface in proximity to the hazard detector based on imagesegmentation and surface recognition. In such implementation-specificexamples, the notification alert may be output by the hazard detectorwhen it is determined that the distance of the hazard detector from theat least one surface is less than or equal to a predetermined andregulated distance. Such a distance may be an authority mandateddistance, such as 12 inches or greater from a wall surface for example.Other examples are possible and may be specific to region-specific orcountry-specific, possibly mandated, requirements.

As another example, the at least one component may include or comprise aGPS component that determines whether the particular location is of atype prohibitive for installation of the hazard detector. In thisexample, the notification alert may be output by the hazard detectorwhen it is determined that the particular location is a prohibited ornon-recommended type for installation of the hazard detector, such as agarage or shed for example. For instance, the GPS component may be ableto resolve, possibly in tandem with one or more other component of thehazard detector such as a WiFi module or radio that might be able toderive via triangulation approximate position or location of the hazarddetector within the residence, that the hazard detector an intendedinstallation location of the hazard detector is a garage or shed forexample. Here, based on that determination, the hazard detector mightoutput an audible “the garage is not an optimal location ofinstallation, the hallway adjacent the garage might be a better choice”and/or a visual “flashing red” or “flashing yellow” sequence, as outputby the light ring 522 of the hazard detector. In the example scenario,if the hazard detector were in real-time moved to “the hallway adjacentthe garage” for installation thereto, it is contemplated that the hazarddetector may provide additional feedback, such as an audible “thank youfor deciding to install at the recommended location” and/or a visual“flashing green” sequence or a “steady green” visual cue. Still manyother examples are possible.

As yet another example, the hazard detector may include or comprisevarious other components, such as a communication interface thatreceives from a camera system external to the hazard detector anindication of whether the instant placement of the hazard detector wouldprevent the hazard detector from operating within specification todetect and/or mitigate one or more hazards. In this example,notification alert may be output by the hazard detector when it isdetermined, based upon the indication, that the instant placement of thehazard detector would prevent the hazard detector from operating withinspecification to detect and/or mitigate one or more hazards. Forexample, the camera system may detect that the hazard detector is beinginstalled in a closet and then transmit a particular signal to thehazard detector to prompt the hazard detector to output an audible “thecloset is not an optimal location for installation of your hazarddetector, the ceiling in the bedroom is, but do not install the hazarddetector so that it is within 6 inches of any wall surface” and/or avisual “flashing red” or “flashing yellow” sequence, as output by thelight ring 522 of the hazard detector. In the example scenario, if thehazard detector were in real-time moved to “the ceiling in the bedroomis” for installation thereto, it is contemplated that the hazarddetector may provide additional feedback, such as an audible “thank youfor deciding to install at the recommended location” and/or a visual“flashing green” sequence or a “steady green” visual cue. Still manyother examples are possible.

Referring now again back to FIG. 1, as discussed above in connectionwith the same, FIG. 1 illustrates an example implementation of aparticular smart hazard detector, such as the hazard detector 500, thatmay itself function as a guide during a process of installation of thesame at an installation location, and that the installation location ofthe particular smart hazard detector may play a central role in howvarious settings of the smart hazard detector are defined and adjustedover time. With reference to step 110, such an implementation may enablea method for adjusting pre-alarm thresholds of a hazard detector that isinstalled to a particular location within a residence and that has aheads-up pre-alarm capability and a standard emergency alarm capability.For example, the method may include or comprise a step 110 a, i.e., asub-step of step 110 of FIG. 1 for example, of analyzing data asdetected by a particular sensor of the hazard detector over a particulartime period to identify a reoccurring trend in which hazard levels aresufficient to exceed a pre-alarm threshold but insufficient to exceed anemergency alarm threshold, and a step 110 b of raising the pre-alarmthreshold to a particular level upon detection of onset of a subsequentinstance of the reoccurring trend so that the hazard detector is lessprone to instantiate a pre-alarm alert for detected instances of thereoccurring trend, but does instantiate a pre-alarm alert in absence ofthe reoccurring trend and when detected hazard levels are sufficient toexceed the pre-alarm threshold but insufficient to exceed the emergencyalarm threshold.

Other examples are possible. In the present example though, theparticular time period may correspond to one of a particular day timeperiod, a particular week time period, a particular month time period,and a particular year time period. Further, historical data as acquiredby the particular sensor of the hazard detector may be analyzed toidentify a reoccurring or recurring trend in the data that may berepresentative of and/or reflect on a particular user-activity or thelike for instance. For example, upon an analysis of the historical dataas acquired by the particular sensor of the hazard detector, it may bedetermined that every morning Monday-Friday carbon monoxide levelsmoderately increase generally sometime between 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM, andthen dissipate relatively quickly. In this example, it is contemplatedthat an initial pre-alarm threshold for carbon monoxide level may be setlow enough so that levels associated with the reoccurring trend maytrigger a pre-alarm alert, but do not trigger an emergency alarm. Here,the hazard detector may, in response to a command, raise or increase thepre-alarm threshold to a particular level so that the reoccurring trenddoes not trigger a pre-alarm alert. When the reoccurring trend though isnot detected by the hazard detector and carbon monoxide levels exceedthe initial pre-alarm threshold, the levels may still trigger apre-alarm alert.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 110 c, i.e., a sub-step of step 110 of FIG. 1 for example, ofcorrelating occurrence of the reoccurring trend with a particular sensorreading of another particular sensor of the hazard detector, and raisingthe pre-alarm threshold to the particular level upon detection of onsetof the subsequent instance of the reoccurring trend and when an instantsensor reading of the another particular sensor correspond to theparticular sensor reading. In this example, historical data as acquiredby another particular sensor of the hazard detector may too or in tandembe examined or analyzed, possibility during or concurrently to step 110a, to determine whether another detectable event typically coincideswith occurrence of the reoccurring trend. For example, historical dataas acquired by an ambient light sensor of the hazard detector mayindicate that a general increase in light intensity or brightness, suchas due to the opening of a garage door, typically coincides withoccurrence of the reoccurring trend, a carbon monoxide trend in thisexample. In this example, detection by the hazard detector of thereoccurring trend and a general increase in light intensity orbrightness may trigger the hazard detector to raise the pre-alarmthreshold to the particular level. Other examples are possible.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 110 d of correlating occurrence of the reoccurring trend with aparticular hazard level as detected by a particular sensor of anotherhazard detector that is installed to another particular location withinthe residence, and raising the pre-alarm threshold to the particularlevel upon detection of onset of the subsequent instance of thereoccurring trend and when an instant hazard level as detected by theparticular sensor of the another hazard detector is greater than orequal to the particular hazard level. In this example, historical dataas acquired by a particular sensor of another hazard detector may too beexamined or analyzed, possibility during step 110 a, to determinewhether another detectable event typically coincides with occurrence ofthe reoccurring trend. For example, historical data as acquired by anoccupancy sensor of the another hazard detector may indicate thatpresence of an individual in a living room typically coincides withoccurrence of the reoccurring trend that is detected by the hazarddetector installed to a garage. In this example, this may correspond tothe individual waiting for their car to warm-up in the garage, anddetection by the hazard detector of the reoccurring trend, a carbonmonoxide trend in this example, together with an affirmative occupancysensor reading of the another hazard detector may trigger the hazarddetector to raise the pre-alarm threshold to the particular level. Otherexamples are possible.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 110 e of correlating occurrence of the reoccurring trend with aparticular status of a particular element of a home automation systeminstalled at the residence, and raising the pre-alarm threshold to theparticular level upon detection of onset of the subsequent instance ofthe reoccurring trend and when an instant status of the particularelement of the home automation system corresponds to the particularstatus. In this example, the hazard detector may be communicativelycoupled to a home automation gateway device, and historical data asacquired by the home automation gateway device may too be examined oranalyzed, possibility during step 110 a, to determine whether anotherdetectable event typically coincides with occurrence of the reoccurringtrend. For example, historical data as acquired by the home automationgateway device may indicate that the opening of a garage door typicallycoincides with occurrence of the reoccurring trend, a carbon monoxidetrend in this example. In this example, detection by the hazard detectorof the reoccurring trend and opening of the garage door may trigger thehazard detector to raise the pre-alarm threshold to the particularlevel. Other examples are possible.

The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprise astep 110 f of correlating occurrence of the reoccurring trend with aparticular time period of day, and raising the pre-alarm threshold tothe particular level upon detection of onset of the subsequent instanceof the reoccurring trend and when an instant time of day is determinedby the hazard detector to correspond with the particular time period ofday. The method may additionally, or alternatively, include or comprisea step 110 g of correlating occurrence of the reoccurring trend with aparticular time period of year, and raising the pre-alarm threshold tothe particular level upon detection of onset of the subsequent instanceof the reoccurring trend and when an instant time of day is determinedby the hazard detector to correspond with the particular time period ofyear. In these examples, it is contemplated that a temporal aspect suchas time of day and/or time of year may play into the decision by thehazard detector to raise the pre-alarm threshold.

For example, upon an analysis of the historical data as acquired by theparticular sensor of the hazard detector, it may be determined thatevery morning Monday-Friday carbon monoxide levels moderately increasegenerally sometime between 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM, and then dissipaterelatively quickly. As another example, upon an analysis of thehistorical data as acquired by the particular sensor of the hazarddetector, it may be determined that every morning M-F only during thewinter months carbon monoxide levels moderately increase generallysometime between 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM, and then dissipate relativelyquickly. In these examples, detection by the hazard detector of thereoccurring trend during the time period between 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM, andpossibly during a particular winter month such as January, may triggerthe hazard detector to raise the pre-alarm threshold to the particularlevel. Other examples are possible.

As mentioned above, the present disclosure is directed to or towardssystems, devices, methods, and related computer-program products forproviding hazard-detection objectives. Accordingly, the exampleimplementation as discussed in connection with step 110 of FIG. 1 maytake many forms. For example, it is contemplated that a hazard detectorthat is installed to a particular location within a residence and thathas a heads-up pre-alarm capability and a standard emergency alarmcapability may include or comprise at least one sensor, and a processingsystem, in operative communication with the least one sensor, thatraises a pre-alarm threshold associated with the at least one sensor toa particular level in response to detection, by the at least one sensor,of onset of an instance of a recurring trend so that the hazard detectoris less prone to instantiate a pre-alarm alert for detected instances ofthe recurring trend, but does instantiate a pre-alarm alert in absenceof the recurring trend and when hazard levels detected by the at leastone sensor are sufficient to exceed the pre-alarm threshold butinsufficient to exceed an emergency alarm threshold associated with theat least one sensor. Such a feature may be beneficial and/or advantagesfor reasons similar to that discussed above in connection with at steps110 a-g. Still other examples are possible as may be understood uponinspection of the present application in its entirety.

Referring now to FIG. 31, an embodiment of system 3100 that includes ahazard detector 3102 having various components that can be enabled ordisabled separately depending on the operating environment of the hazarddetector 3102 is shown. In general, the hazard detector 3102 maycorrespond to the hazard detector 500 as shown and described above. Thehazard detector 3102 may include a smoke detection module 3104, a carbonmonoxide detection module 3106, a conditional lighting module 3108, adoorbell notification module 3110, an intercom communication module3112, a voice recognition module 3114, a conditional occupancy alarmmodule 3116, a glass break monitor 3118, an occupancy detection disabler3120, a baby cry monitor 3122, a power outage monitor 3124, an airquality monitor 3126, and a wireless communication interface 3128. Oneor more of such components may be implemented using one or moreprocessors of the hazard detector 3102 and/or one or more sensors of thehazard detector 3102.

The smoke detection module 3104 may represent one or more sensorsconfigured to detect smoke in the environment of the hazard detector3102. The smoke detection module 3104 may be configured to determinewhen smoke levels in the ambient environment of the hazard detector hasrisen above one or more threshold values. For instance, the smokedetection module 3104 may determine when the smoke level in the ambientenvironment has reached a pre-alarm level (e.g., a “heads-up”) and alsowhen it has reached an alarm (emergency) level. The smoke detectionmodule 3104 may be enabled or disabled depending on the type of locationin which hazard detector 3102 has been specified as installed.

The carbon monoxide detection module 3106 may represent one or moresensors configured to detect carbon monoxide in the environment of thehazard detector 3102. The carbon monoxide detection module 3106 may beconfigured to determine when carbon monoxide levels in the ambientenvironment of the hazard detector has risen above one or more thresholdvalues. For instance, the carbon monoxide detection module 3106 maydetermine when the carbon monoxide level in the ambient environment hasreached a pre-alarm level (e.g., a “heads-up”) and also when it hasreached an alarm (emergency) level. The carbon monoxide detection module3106 may be enabled or disabled depending on the type of location inwhich hazard detector 3102 has been specified as installed. As anexample, if hazard detector 3102 is installed within a garage, it may bedesirable for carbon monoxide detection module 3106 to be disabled toprevent pre-alarms based on a vehicle's emissions.

The conditional lighting module 3108, which may also be referred to as apath light feature, may output lighting (e.g., via light ring 522) undercertain conditions, such as when motion is detected in the ambientenvironment of the hazard detector 3102 and the brightness leveldetected by a light sensor of the hazard detector 3102 indicates theambient brightness level is below a stored threshold value. Theconditional lighting module 3108 may therefore illuminate a light of thehazard detector 3102 when a user is moving in the vicinity of the hazarddetector 3102 in the dark. The conditional lighting module 3108 may beenabled or disabled depending on the type of location in which hazarddetector 3102 has been specified as installed. As an example, if hazarddetector 3102 is installed within a bedroom, it may be desirable forconditional lighting module 3108 to be disabled such that movements of aperson while asleep do not trigger the conditional lighting module 3108to activate the light of the hazard detector 3102.

The doorbell notification module 3110 and the intercom communicationmodule 3112 may, respectively, be coupled either directly or indirectlyvia a home automation gateway system, to enable the hazard detector 3102to output via speaker system a notification (e.g., doorbell sound) whena particular doorbell actuator is pressed, and to enable the hazarddetector 3102 to function as a two-way communication system via amicrophone/speaker system incorporated into the intercom communicationmodule 3112. The voice recognition module 3114 in contrast may beconfigured to receive affirmative voice commands via one or moremicrophones of the hazard detector 3102. For instance, commands may bereceived to enable or disable various other modules of the hazarddetector 3102. As an example, a user may be able to state “disableconditional lighting module.” Such a command may disable theillumination of a light of the hazard detector when motion is detectedand the ambient brightness levels are below threshold value.

The voice recognition module 3114 and/or the baby cry monitor 3122 mayalso be able to perform distressed voice recognition. Such distressedvoice recognition may be the ability to identify stress in a human voicein the ambient environment of the hazard detector. Such detection may beuseful for determining when an emergency is present in the vicinity ofthe hazard detector, if a baby is crying, and etc. The voice recognitionmodule 3114 may be enabled or disabled depending on the type of locationin which the hazard detector 3102 has been specified as installed. As anexample, if the hazard detector 3102 is installed within a home theatre(or other place where a television is typically present), it may bedesirable for the voice recognition module 3114 to be disabled (or atleast the distressed voice recognition is disabled) such that humanvoice from a television program (e.g., a scary movie) does not triggeran action by voice recognition module 3114.

The conditional occupancy alarm module 3116 may monitor for undesiredhuman presence, such as in a home security scenario, and when anundesired human presence is detected the conditional occupancy alarmmodule 3116 may command the hazard detector to output an emergency alarmand possible contact a third party, such as 911 for example. In someexamples, the occupancy detection disabler 3120 may enable/disableoccupancy detection functionality of the hazard detector 3102. The glassBreak monitor 3118 may be configured to monitor for the sound of glassbreaking in the ambient environment of hazard detector 3102. The glassbreak monitor 3118 may receive audio via one or more microphones of thehazard detector 3102. The glass break monitor 3118 may be triggered toalert one or more other devices if glass is detected as breaking,possibly signaling a break-in or vandalism. The glass break monitor 3118may be enabled or disabled depending on the type of location in whichthe hazard detector 3102 has been specified as installed. As an example,if the hazard detector 3102 is installed within a home theatre (or otherplace where a television is typically present), it may be desirable forthe glass break monitor 3118 to be disabled such that sound from atelevision program (e.g., an action movie) does not trigger an action bythe glass break monitor 3118.

The baby cry monitor 3122 may be configured to monitor for the sound ofa baby crying in the ambient environment of the hazard detector 3102.The baby cry monitor 3122 may receive audio via one or more microphonesof hazard detector 3102. The baby cry monitor 3122 may be triggered toalert one or more other devices if a baby is determined to be crying inthe vicinity of the hazard detector. The baby cry monitor 3122 may beenabled or disabled depending on the type of location which hazarddetector 3102 has been specified as installed. As an example, if thehazard detector 3102 is installed within a nursery, it may be desirablefor the baby cry monitor 3122 to be disabled such that a baby cryingwhere it is usually located (e.g., his or her crib) does not trigger anaction by the baby cry monitor 3122.

The power outage monitor 3124 may be configured to monitor for thehazard detector 3102 losing power from the electrical power source of astructure, which is typically 120 VAC or 240 VAC. The power outagemonitor 3124 may be configured to determine when power is no longeravailable via the structures wired power source to the hazard detector3102. The power outage monitor 3124 may confirm the power loss via oneor more additional arrangements, such as by detecting the decrease inartificial lighting at around the same time power was lost or, forexample, by receiving a message from another smart home deviceindicative of power being lost. The power outage monitor 3124 may beenabled or disabled depending on the type of location which the hazarddetector 3102 has been specified as installed. As an example, if thehazard detector 3102 is installed on a circuit that loses powerfrequently, it may be desirable for the power outage monitor 3124 to bedisabled such that a temporary power loss does not trigger an action bythe power outage monitor 3124.

The air quality monitor 3126 may be configured to monitor the airquality in the vicinity of the hazard detector 3102. The air qualitymonitor 3126 may monitor the ambient air quality for variouscontaminants, such as volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide,excessive carbon dioxide, ammonium, etc. The air quality monitor 3126may be configured to notify one or more devices when various storedthreshold values are met by measurements of the ambient air. The airquality monitor 3126 may be enabled or disabled depending on the type oflocation which the hazard detector 3102 has been specified as installed.As an example, if the hazard detector 3102 is installed in a kitchen, itmay be desirable for the air quality monitor 3126 to be disabled suchthat burning food does not trigger an action by the air quality monitor3126.

The supplemental features module 3129 may include one or more featuresto at least enable the hazard detector 3102 to output a particularnotification during installation of the hazard detector 3102 at theparticular location, when it is determined that an instant placement ofthe hazard detector may prevent the hazard detector 3102 from operatingwithin specification to detect and/or mitigate one or more hazards. Anexample of such a feature may include, but is not limited to, aproximity sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor and an LED time-of-flightrange finder for example, an orientation sensor such as an accelerometerand gyroscope for example, a wireless signal strength module forexample, a carbon monoxide detection feature, a smoke detection feature,an ambient light sensor detection feature, and an ambient temperaturedetection feature for example. Another example of such a featureincludes a video camera that determines a distance of the hazarddetector 3102 from at least one surface in proximity to the hazarddetector based on image segmentation and surface recognition. Anotherexample of such a feature includes a GPS component that determineswhether a particular location of installation of the hazard detector3102 is of a type prohibitive for installation of the hazard detector.

Also shown in FIG. 31 is a video camera 3130 that is separate andexternal from the hazard detector 3102. The video camera 3130 cameraincludes an audio acquisition module 3132 to acquire or capture audio, avideo acquisition module 3134 to acquire or capture video, and acommunication interface 3136 to transfer audio and/or video to thecommunication interface 3128 of the hazard detector 3102, possibly alongwith an indication of whether an instant placement of the hazarddetector 3102 might prevent the hazard detector 3102 from operatingwithin specification to detect and/or mitigate one or more hazards in amanner as discussed throughout.

Referring now to FIG. 32, an exemplary environment with which examplesmay be implemented is shown with a computer system 3200 that can be usedby a user 3204 to remotely control, for example, one or more of thesensor-equipped smart home devices according to one or more of theexamples. The computer system or server 3210 can alternatively be usedfor carrying out one or more of the server-based processing paradigmsdescribed hereinabove or as a processing device in a larger distributedvirtualized computing scheme for carrying out the described processingparadigms, or for any of a variety of other purposes consistent with thepresent teachings. The computer system 3200 can include a computer 3202,keyboard 3222, a network router 3212, a printer 3208, and a monitor3206. The monitor 3206, computer 3202 and keyboard 3222 are part of acomputer system 3226, which can be a laptop computer, desktop computer,handheld computer, mainframe computer, etc. The monitor 3206 can be aCRT, flat screen, etc.

A user 3204 can input commands into the computer 3202 using variousinput devices, such as a mouse, keyboard 3222, track ball, touch screen,etc. If the computer system 3200 comprises a mainframe, a user 3204 canaccess the computer 3202 using, for example, a terminal or terminalinterface. Additionally, the computer system 3226 may be connected to aprinter 3208 and a server 3210 using a network router 3212, which mayconnect to the Internet 3218 or a WAN. While element 3218 is labeled“Internet,” it is contemplated that element 3218 may incorporate orexhibit any number of features or elements of various wireless and/orhardwired packet-based communication networks such as, for example, aWAN (Wide Area Network) network, a HAN (Home Area Network) network, aLAN (Local Area Network) network, a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)network, a cellular communications network, or any other type ofcommunication network configured such that data may be transferredbetween and among respective elements of the environment 200.

The server 3210 may, for example, be used to store additional softwareprograms and data. In one example, software implementing the systems andmethods described herein can be stored on a storage medium in the server3210. Thus, the software can be run from the storage medium in theserver 3210. In another example, software implementing the systems andmethods described herein can be stored on a storage medium in thecomputer 3202. Thus, the software can be run from the storage medium inthe computer system 3226. Therefore, in this example, the software canbe used whether or not computer 3202 is connected to network router3212. Printer 3208 may be connected directly to computer 3202, in whichcase, the computer system 3226 can print whether or not it is connectedto network router 3212.

Referring now to FIG. 33, an example of a special-purpose computersystem 3300 is shown. For example, one or more intelligent components,the processing engine 308 and components thereof may be aspecial-purpose computer system 3300. The above methods may beimplemented by computer-program products that direct a computer systemto perform the actions of the above-described methods and components.Each such computer-program product may comprise sets of instructions(codes) embodied on a computer-readable medium that directs theprocessor of a computer system to perform corresponding actions. Theinstructions may be configured to run in sequential order, or inparallel (such as under different processing threads), or in acombination thereof. After loading the computer-program products on ageneral purpose computer system 3626, it is transformed into thespecial-purpose computer system 3300.

Special-purpose computer system 3300 comprises a computer 3302, amonitor 3306 coupled to computer 3302, one or more additional useroutput devices 3330 (optional) coupled to computer 3302, one or moreuser-input devices 3340 (e.g., keyboard, mouse, track ball, touchscreen) coupled to computer 3302, an optional communications interface3350 coupled to computer 3302, a computer-program product 3305 stored ina tangible computer-readable memory in computer 3302. Computer-programproduct 3305 directs the special-purpose computer system 3300 to performthe above-described methods. Computer 3302 may include one or moreprocessors 3360 that communicate with a number of peripheral devices viaa bus subsystem 3390. These peripheral devices may include user outputdevice(s) 3330, user-input device(s) 3340, communications interface3350, and a storage subsystem, such as random access memory (RAM) 3370and non-volatile storage drive 3380 (e.g., disk drive, optical drive,solid state drive), which are forms of tangible computer-readablememory.

Computer-program product 3305 may be stored in non-volatile storagedrive 3380 or another computer-readable medium accessible to computer3302 and loaded into memory 3370. Each processor 3360 may comprise amicroprocessor, such as a microprocessor from Intel® or Advanced MicroDevices, Inc.®, or the like. To support the computer-program product3305, the computer 3302 runs an operating system that handles thecommunications of the computer-program product 3305 with the above-notedcomponents, as well as the communications between the above-notedcomponents in support of the computer-program product 3305. Exemplaryoperating systems include Windows® or the like from MicrosoftCorporation, Solaris® from Sun Microsystems, LINUX, UNIX, and the like.

User-input devices 3340 include all possible types of devices andmechanisms to input information to computer 3302. These may include akeyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a scanner, a digital drawing pad, a touchscreen incorporated into the display, audio input devices such as voicerecognition systems, microphones, and other types of input devices. Invarious examples, user-input devices 3340 are typically embodied as acomputer mouse, a trackball, a track pad, a joystick, wireless remote, adrawing tablet, a voice command system. User-input devices 3340typically allow a user to select objects, icons, text and the like thatappear on the monitor 3306 via a command such as a click of a button orthe like. User output devices 3330 include all possible types of devicesand mechanisms to output information from computer 3302. These mayinclude a display (e.g., monitor 3306), printers, non-visual displayssuch as audio output devices, etc.

Communications interface 3350 provides an interface to othercommunication networks and devices and may serve as an interface toreceive data from and transmit data to other systems, WANs and/or theInternet 3318. Examples of communications interface 3350 typicallyinclude an Ethernet card, a modem (telephone, satellite, cable, ISDN), a(asynchronous) digital subscriber line (DSL) unit, a FireWire®interface, a USBC, interface, a wireless network adapter, and the like.For example, communications interface 3350 may be coupled to a computernetwork, to a FireWire® bus, or the like. In other examples,communications interface 3350 may be physically integrated on themotherboard of computer 3302, and/or may be a software program, or thelike.

RAM 3370 and non-volatile storage drive 3380 are examples of tangiblecomputer-readable media configured to store data such ascomputer-program product examples of the present invention, includingexecutable computer code, human-readable code, or the like. Other typesof tangible computer-readable media include floppy disks, removable harddisks, optical storage media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, bar codes,semiconductor memories such as flash memories, read-only-memories(ROMs), battery-backed volatile memories, networked storage devices, andthe like. RAM 3370 and non-volatile storage drive 3380 may be configuredto store the basic programming and data constructs that provide thefunctionality of various examples of the present invention, as describedabove.

Software instruction sets that provide the functionality of the presentdisclosure may be stored in RAM 3370 and non-volatile storage drive3380. These instruction sets or code may be executed by the processor(s)3360. RAM 3370 and non-volatile storage drive 3380 may also provide arepository to store data and data structures used in accordance with thepresent invention. RAM 3370 and non-volatile storage drive 3380 mayinclude a number of memories including a main random access memory (RAM)to store instructions and data during program execution and a read-onlymemory (ROM) in which fixed instructions are stored. RAM 3370 andnon-volatile storage drive 3380 may include a file storage subsystemproviding persistent (non-volatile) storage of program and/or datafiles. RAM 3370 and non-volatile storage drive 3380 may also includeremovable storage systems, such as removable flash memory.

Bus subsystem 3390 provides a mechanism to allow the various componentsand subsystems of computer 3302 to communicate with each other asintended. Although bus subsystem 3390 is shown schematically as a singlebus, alternative examples of the bus subsystem may utilize multiplebusses or communication paths within the computer 3302.

For a firmware and/or software implementation, the methodologies may beimplemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) thatperform the functions described herein. Any machine-readable mediumtangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing themethodologies described herein. For example, software codes may bestored in a memory. Memory may be implemented within the processor orexternal to the processor. As used herein the term “memory” refers toany type of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or otherstorage medium and is not to be limited to any particular type of memoryor number of memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored.

Moreover, as disclosed herein, the term “storage medium,” equivalently“nontransitory storage medium,” may represent one or more persistentmemories for storing data, including read only memory (ROM), randomaccess memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic disk storagemediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and/or othermachine readable mediums for storing information. The term“machine-readable medium” includes, but is not limited to portable orfixed storage devices, optical storage devices, wireless channels,and/or various other storage mediums capable of storing that contain orcarry instruction(s) and/or data.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. Indeed, various user interfaces for operatinghazard detectors, HVACSs and other devices have been provided yet thedesigns are meant to be illustrative and not limiting as to the scope ofthe overall invention. While methods and systems have been described forreceiving hazard detection and hazard detector status information, it iscontemplated that these methods may be applied to receive and/orcommunicate other information. It is to be further appreciated that theterm hazard detector, as used throughout, can include hazard detectorshaving direct wired connection with hazard response systems, and canfurther include hazard detectors that do not connect directly with thehazard response systems, but that provide alerts concerning detectedpotential hazard conditions.

The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are examples. Variousconfigurations may omit, substitute, or add various method steps orprocedures, or system components as appropriate. For instance, inalternative configurations, the methods may be performed in an orderdifferent from that described, and/or various stages may be added,omitted, and/or combined. Also, features described with respect tocertain configurations may be combined in various other configurations.Different aspects and elements of the configurations may be combined ina similar manner. Also, technology evolves and, thus, many of theelements are examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure orclaims.

Specific details are given in the description to provide a thoroughunderstanding of example configurations (including implementations).However, configurations may be practiced without these specific details.For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, andtechniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoidobscuring the configurations. This description provides exampleconfigurations only, and does not limit the scope, applicability, orconfigurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of theconfigurations will provide those of skill with an enabling descriptionfor implementing described techniques. Various changes may be made inthe function and arrangement of elements without departing from thespirit or scope of the disclosure.

Also, configurations may be described as a process which is depicted asa flow diagram or block diagram. Although each may describe theoperations as a sequential process, many of the operations may beperformed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of theoperations may be rearranged. A process may have additional steps notincluded in the figure. Furthermore, examples of the methods may beimplemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode,hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. Whenimplemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the programcode or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as a storage medium.Processors may perform the described tasks.

Furthermore, the example aspects or features described herein may beimplemented as logical operations in a computing device in a networkedcomputing system environment. The logical operations may be implementedas: (i) a sequence of computer implemented instructions, steps, orprogram modules running on a computing device; and (ii) interconnectedlogic or hardware modules running within a computing device.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for guiding installation of a hazarddetector, comprising: receiving, by the hazard detector duringinstallation at a particular location within a residence, an inputcommand to test whether an instant placement of the hazard detectorwould prevent the hazard detector from operating within specification todetect one or more hazards; implementing, by the hazard detector inresponse to receiving the input command, a test sequence to determinewhether the instant placement of the hazard detector would prevent thehazard detector from operating within specification to detect one ormore hazards; and outputting, by the hazard detector, a particularnotification during installation at the particular location when it isdetermined that the instant placement of the hazard detector wouldprevent the hazard detector from operating within specification todetect one or more hazards, based upon readings of at least onecomponent of the hazard detector.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining, based upon readings of a proximity sensor ofthe hazard detector, that the instant placement of the hazard detectoris within a prohibitive distance from one or more wall or ceilingsurfaces; and in response to the determining, outputting the particularnotification to indicate that the instant placement of the hazarddetector would prevent the hazard detector from operating withinspecification to detect one or more hazards.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the proximity sensor is selected from an ultrasonic sensor andan LED (Light Emitting Diode) time-of-flight range finder.
 4. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: determining, based upon a reading of anorientation sensor of the hazard detector, that an instant spatialorientation of the hazard detector is unsuitable for one or morefeatures of the hazard detector to operate as intended; and in responseto the determining, outputting the particular notification to indicatethat the instant placement of the hazard detector would prevent thehazard detector from operating within specification to detect one ormore hazards.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determiningthat an instant wireless signal strength detected by the hazard detectoris within an unacceptable range; and in response to the determining,outputting the particular notification to indicate that the instantplacement of the hazard detector would prevent the hazard detector fromoperating within specification to detect one or more hazards.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: determining that a particularhazard detection feature of the hazard detector is operating within anunacceptable range due to instant readings being outside of anacceptable range; and in response to the determining, outputting theparticular notification to indicate that the instant placement of thehazard detector would prevent the hazard detector from operating withinspecification to detect one or more hazards.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the particular hazard detection feature is selected from acarbon monoxide detection feature, a smoke detection feature, an ALS(Ambient Light Sensor) detection feature, and an ambient temperaturedetection feature.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:outputting at least one of an audible notification and a visualnotification during installation at the particular location when it isdetermined that the instant placement of the hazard detector wouldprevent the hazard detector from operating within specification todetect one or more hazards.
 9. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: outputting, by the hazard detector, another particularnotification during installation at the particular location when it isdetermined that the instant placement of the hazard detector wouldpermit the hazard detector to operate within specification to detect oneor more hazards, based upon readings of at least one component of thehazard detector.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:outputting at least one of an audible notification and a visualnotification during installation at the particular location when it isdetermined that the instant placement of the hazard detector wouldpermit the hazard detector to operate within specification to detect oneor more hazards.
 11. A hazard detector, comprising: at least onecomponent to test during installation of the hazard detector at aparticular location whether an instant placement of the hazard detectorwould prevent the hazard detector from operating within specification todetect one or more hazards; and a processing system, in operativecommunication with the at least one component, that: determines, basedupon readings of the at least one component, whether an instantplacement of the hazard detector during installation thereof wouldprevent the hazard detector from operating within specification todetect one or more hazards; and when it is determined that the instantplacement of the hazard detector would prevent the hazard detector fromoperating within specification to detect one or more hazards, causes anotification alert to be output to guide a user during installation ofthe hazard detector to a suitable installation location for the hazarddetector.
 12. The hazard detector of claim 11, wherein the at least onecomponent comprises an ultrasound sensor that determines a distance ofthe hazard detector from at least one surface in proximity to the hazarddetector based on reflections of interrogating ultrasonic waves, whereinthe notification alert is output by the hazard detector when it isdetermined that the distance of the hazard detector from the at leastone surface is less than or equal to a predetermined and regulateddistance.
 13. The hazard detector of claim 11, wherein the at least onecomponent comprises a time-of-flight LED (Light Emitting Diode)component that determines a distance of the hazard detector from atleast one surface in proximity to the hazard detector based onreflections of interrogating optical waves, wherein the notificationalert is output by the hazard detector when it is determined that thedistance of the hazard detector from the at least one surface is lessthan or equal to a predetermined and regulated distance.
 14. The hazarddetector of claim 11, wherein the at least one component comprises avideo camera that determines a distance of the hazard detector from atleast one surface in proximity to the hazard detector based on imagesegmentation and surface recognition, wherein the notification alert isoutput by the hazard detector when it is determined that the distance ofthe hazard detector from the at least one surface is less than or equalto a predetermined and regulated distance.
 15. The hazard detector ofclaim 11, wherein the at least one component comprises a GPS (GlobalPositioning Sensor) component that determines whether the particularlocation is of a type prohibitive for installation of the hazarddetector, wherein the notification alert is output by the hazarddetector when it is determined that the particular location is aprohibited type for installation of the hazard detector.
 16. The hazarddetector of claim 11, further comprising a communication interface thatreceives from a camera system external to the hazard detector anindication of whether the instant placement of the hazard detector wouldprevent the hazard detector from operating within specification todetect one or more hazards, wherein the notification alert is output bythe hazard detector when it is determined, based upon the indication,that the instant placement of the hazard detector would prevent thehazard detector from operating within specification to detect one ormore hazards.
 17. The hazard detector of claim 11, further comprising aspeaker system that outputs an audible notification alert when it isdetermined that the instant placement of the hazard detector wouldprevent the hazard detector from operating within specification todetect one or more hazards.
 18. The hazard detector of claim 11, furthercomprising a light source that outputs an visual notification alert whenit is determined that the instant placement of the hazard detector wouldprevent the hazard detector from operating within specification todetect one or more hazards.
 19. A hazard detector, comprising: at leastone diagnostic component; at least one output device; at least oneprocessor, operatively coupled to the at least one diagnostic componentand at least one output device; and a memory operatively coupled withand readable by the at least one processor, and having stored thereinprocessor-readable instructions that, when executed by the at least oneprocessor, cause the at least one processor to: receive, duringinstallation of the hazard detector at a particular location within aresidence, an input command to test whether an instant placement of thehazard detector would prevent the hazard detector from operating withinspecification to detect one or more hazards; implement a test sequenceto determine whether the instant placement of the hazard detector wouldprevent the hazard detector from operating within specification todetect one or more hazards; and generate a particular notification, foroutput by the at least one output device, when it is determined that theinstant placement of the hazard detector would prevent the hazarddetector from operating within specification to detect one or morehazards, based upon readings of the at least one diagnostic component.20. The hazard detector of claim 19, wherein the at least one diagnosticcomponent is selected from a proximity sensor, an orientation sensor,and a wireless signal strength sensor, wherein the particularnotification is output via the at least one output device when readingsfrom at least one of the proximity sensor, orientation sensor, andwireless signal strength sensor indicate that the instant placement ofthe hazard detector would prevent the hazard detector from operatingwithin specification to detect one or more hazards.